2024-03-29T13:14:43Zhttps://iris.unipa.it/oai/requestoai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5944132024-02-07T01:06:24Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
THE HDAC INHIBITOR ITF2357 (GIVINOSTAT) AS A KEY
PLAYER IN EPIGENETIC TARGETING OF MELANOMA AND
COLON CANCER CELLS
CELESIA, Adriana
EMANUELE, Sonia
BUCCHIERI, Fabio
HDAC inhibitor
Epigenetic
Melanoma
Colon cancer
BRAF
p53
Autophagy
Apoptosis
Settore BIO/10 - Biochimica
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) are epigenetic compounds that have been recently considered for their promising anti-tumor activity. The aim of this PhD thesis was to elucidate and characterize the anti-tumor effect of the HDAC inhibitor ITF2357 (Givinostat) in melanoma and colon cancer cells that are characterized by oncogenic BRAF mutations.
Interestingly, data reported in this thesis demonstrate that ITF2357 exerts a remarkable anti-tumor effect in melanoma cells by inducing a switch from a pro-survival autophagy to caspase-dependent apoptosis. The thesis provides the first evidences that ITF2357 is able to target oncogenic BRAF and oncogenic p53. The ITF2357 decreasing effect on BRAF was due to both reduced expression and increased proteolysis, while the effect on p53 was mainly due to proteasome-mediated degradation. Moreover, the thesis demonstrates for the first time an interplay between oncogenic BRAF and oncogenic p53 in melanoma cells, which is reduced by ITF2357, thus supporting a possible use of this compound in melanoma targeted therapy.
The anti-tumor effect of ITF2357 was also evaluated in colon cancer cells. In these models, the HDAC inhibitor was combined with other epigenetic drugs, including DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors. The results indicated that ITF2357 potentiates the effects of both general and selective DNMT inhibitors in HCT116 cells. Furthermore, the compound was able to increase the immunogenic response induced by these other epi-drugs.
Taken together, the results shown in this thesis pave the way for a possible use of ITF2357 for anti-tumor targeted therapy, either alone or in combination with other epigenetic compounds.
2023-06-26
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/594413
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6247162024-02-23T02:37:45Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Design and synthesis of new 3-amino-1,2,4-triazine derivatives as PDK1 inhibitors
BIANCUCCI, Cristiano
DIANA, Patrizia
PITARRESI, Giovanna
PDK1, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazine, computational modelling, kinease inhibitors, Warburg effect, PDAC, KRAS
Dopo aver progettato uno scaffold che fosse in grado di inibire competitivamente PDK1 tramite interazione con l’ATP-binding site, ne ho messo in atto la sintesi. Durante questi tre anni ho avuto modo di sintetizzare 62 potenziali inibitori di PDK1 a struttura 3-ammino-1,2,4-triazinica, sostituiti in posizione 5 con una porzione indolica e in posizione 6 con una piridinica, entrambe variamente sostituite. I saggi biologici effettuati fino ad oggi indicano che i composti potenzialmente più attivi nei confronti del target sono quelli che possiedono la porzione piridinica sostituita con il gruppo metossilico e tra questi, quelli più attivi, sono senz’altro quelli che portano il metossile anche sulla porzione indolica. Il saggio enzimatico diretto su PDK1, infatti, evidenzia una IC50 per entrambi i composti metossilati su entrambe le porzioni, nel range del uM. Studi per indagare sull’effettivo meccanismo di azione di questi composti sono stati effettuati tramite metodiche e tecniche computazionali durante il mio periodo all’estero svolto a Parigi. Tramite calcoli di Dinamica Molecolare (MD), ci siamo resi conto che potenzialmente il sito di inibizione enzimatico di questi composti potrebbe non essere l’ATP-binding pocket, ma un sito chiamato ATP-lid, prossimale all’ATP-binding site.
2024-02-27
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/624716
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6256752024-03-01T03:42:44Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Permeable pavement made in porous asphalt: A sustainable solution to reduce floods impacts
CIRIMINNA, Diego
CAMPIONE, Giuseppe
Permeable pavement
porous asphalt
EPA SWMM,
Settore ICAR/04 - Strade, Ferrovie Ed Aeroporti
Urban growth and infrastructure development in recent decades have led to a significant increase in the amount of impermeable soil in urban areas. This is attributed mainly to the construction of roads and buildings, resulting in the reduction of permeable surfaces, such as grasslands and natural soils, replaced by impermeable surfaces covered by asphalt and concrete. Urbanisation has a profound impact on the natural water cycle, in particular by changing management of rainfall. In a natural environment, rainwater is absorbed by the soil, recharging groundwater and maintaining the ecological balance. However, the expansion of urban areas and the proliferation of impervious surfaces disrupt this balance and cause other problems, such as the increasing of the risk of hydroplaning and flooding, and the concentration of pollutants.Hydroplaning (also called aquaplaning) occurs when the amount of water on the road exceeds the drainage capacity and causes a loss of traction between the vehicle tyres and the road surface. This can lead to dangerous situations, particularly during heavy rain or storms, increasing the risk of road accidents.Urban flooding is often a consequence of water accumulation due to loss of surface permeability. In fact, the drainage problems can cause water to pool in streets and low-lying areas, potentially causing damage to property and infrastructures.The surface runoff also causes an environmental problem in terms of leaching of the pollutants deposited on the pavement. In fact, the vehicular traffic, the smoke release from industrial plants and other production activities results in the release of pollutants that are finally deposited on the pavement and then transported by runoff to the sewer. The main pollutants deposited on the roads include total suspended solids, heavy metals (such as lead, copper, cadmium, chromium, and zinc), organic pollutants expressed as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), nitrogen and hydrocarbons.The emergence of these problems has led to the development of various solutions to convert a 'traditional city' into an environmentally sustainable city. The main solutions involve the construction of drainage systems that return the pavement to a state of permeability while, at the same time, it performs its function. These solutions have received different names such as: Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS), Low Impact Development (LID) or Best Management Practices (BMP), Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD). Permeable pavements (PPs) are a widely used LID in both urban and highway areas. They are manufactured like a traditional pavement, but with higher porosity and interconnectivity of voids. This increases their permeability and, therefore, their ability to be infiltrated by rainfall, but at some sacrifice of mechanical strength.PPs can be permeable in the surface course only or in all their courses. The former, also known as open-graded friction course (OGFC), consists of Porous Asphalt (PA) layer used to reduce the risk of hydroplaning. The second type collects and temporarily stores water in the deeper course, known as the storage layer, before water is released into the underlying ground or is discharged by drainage pipes to sewer or reservoirs for reuse. The surface layer can be made of PA, Pervious Concrete (PC), Grid Pavement (GC) or Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement (PICP); in all these four cases, significant infiltration is provided, resulting in a reduction of pollutants in the runoff.A practical way for modelling and sizing PP is the use of software such as the EPA SWMM (Storm Water Management Model) produced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is a one-dimensional software used to model urban drainage networks. Recent versions have added tools for LID modelling and water quality assessment, noticeably improving its potential.The present work aims to investigate the properties of PA: in particular, it focuses on the effect of macrotexture as well as on the influence of roughness on superficial runoff, and on pollutant release/removal. All these aspects are typically investigated in different applied engineering disciplines, but they relate to each other and, indeed, they all provide a contribution to overall performance of the pavement, with a specific focus on its hydraulic performance and the consequent water quality. The work is organised as follows. Chapter 1 discusses flooding and hydroplaning issues, as well as the state of the art of PPs and the main methods for surface texture evaluation. Chapter 2 describes the EPA SWMM software and explains in detail how to carry out appropriate modelling and simulation of PPs. Then, Chapters 3, 4 and 5 focus on porous asphalt, each chapter dealing with a different experimental characterization, to gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of its use. Chapter 3 deals with strength testing by measuring stress, and hydraulic testing in a flume whose bottom was covered by asphalt slabs, for assessing resistance to flow and surface roughness. Chapter 4 deals with numerical simulation of two case studies where PPs are considered. A case study is a car parking inside the Palermo University campus, for which two different combinations of PPs are considered. The second case study concerns the whole Palermo University campus. The analysis of the results allows interesting observations on the use of PPs and their effectiveness in mitigating runoff and flooding. Finally, Chapter 5, instead, concerns water quality analysis of water passing through asphalt slabs.
2024-03-01
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/625675
eng
numberofpages:379
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6307132024-03-28T01:38:00Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205ou_ou00245
From Literature to Acoustic Monitoring: Exploring the Ecology, Conservation, and Landscape Interactions of Sicilian Bats
MASSAAD, Mark
LA MANTIA, Tommaso
BAGARELLO, Vincenzo
Chiroptera- ecology- landscape- conservation- Sicily
Settore BIO/07 - Ecologia
Islands are renowned for their unique patterns of bat species assemblage and endemism, yet they are still among the most threatened taxa. Despite being the largest island in the Mediterranean, research on Sicilian bats is still inadequate and scattered. This Ph.D. aims to identify research trends, priorities, and status of research in the Mediterranean and Sicily. According to the procured research gaps, we conducted an acoustic monitoring study to assess the following research gaps: How vegetation structure, landscape scale, and climatic variables can influence bat activity and assemblage? And what species are occurring on the least studied small islands around Sicily?Systematic reviews revealed unbalanced research efforts across geographical areas, a bias in the studied species, a lack of knowledge regarding bats' interaction across natural habitats, and little research targeting small islands around Sicily. Acoustic data demonstrated the presence of 15 bat species/phonic among 10,957 calls recorded during 262 nights across Ficuzza natural habitats. Landscape factors such as proximity to unpaved roads, anthropogenic structures, and dung density significantly influenced bat activity. Bats responded differently depending on their foraging guild groups. Bats exhibited varied responses based on foraging guilds, with different nightly activity patterns observed. Through sporadic acoustic monitoring, we also demonstrate the importance of the small islands around Sicily. We reported new species for the first time, including Nyctalus spp. in the Aeolian islands, H. savii and P. pipistrellus in the Pelagie Islands (Lampedusa), and T. teniotis in Pantelleria. This thesis demonstrates the importance of systematic and acoustic as evidence-based approaches to identify, foster, and fill research gaps. Further studies are still needed to assess bat distribution, abundance, and their interaction across different ecosystems and habitats for long-term conservation.
2024
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/630713
eng
numberofpages:129
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5928002024-01-25T01:37:09Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Development of a screening strategy for the identification of NLRP3 selective inhibitor compounds
DINO, Paola
BUCCHIERI, Fabio
BUCCHIERI, Fabio
Screening, NLRP3 inflammasome, human bronchial epithelial cells, exposure at cigarette smoke esxtract, inflammation
Settore BIO/16 - Anatomia Umana
Il mio progetto di dottorato industriale si è concentrato su due obiettivi.
Il primo è stato lo sviluppo di una strategia di screening per scoprire nuovi composti inibitori selettivi di NLRP3; la seconda è stata la valutazione del ruolo dell'inflammasoma NLRP3 nell'infiammazione associata al fumo di sigaretta (CS) nelle cellule epiteliali bronchiali primarie umane (PBEC).
Le due strategie erano collegate tra loro: a seguito della campagna di screening, i composti positivi non tossici scoperti avrebbero dovuto essere studiati in modelli sperimentali in vitro di malattia polmonare associata a CS.
La campagna di screening è stata condotta, sono stati esaminati 319 composti. Sono stati trovati due preliminary actives. È stato condotto il controllo di qualità (QC) dei lotti per convalidare la struttura molecolare di questi due composti sia tramite analisi spettroscopica di risonanza magnetica nucleare (NMR) che spettrometria di massa, ma purtroppo le strutture di questi composti non sono state confermate e quindi entrambi i composti sono stati scartati. I dati della letteratura riguardanti l'espressione e il ruolo dell'inflammasoma NLRP3 nell'infiammazione associata a fumo di sigaretta sono contrastanti. Per questo motivo, si è deciso di focalizzare lo studio sul ruolo di NLRP3 inflammasoma nelle cellule epiteliali bronchiali polmonari stimolate con estratto di fumo di sigaretta (CSE). I dati preliminari riportano che CSE induce l'attivazione di Caspase-1, NLRP3 in modo indipendente. CSE induce l'aumento dell'espressione proteica e genica di IL-1b, inoltre il fumo di sigaretta induce il rilascio di IL-1b e IL-18. Saranno necessarie ulteriori analisi e una maggiore dimensione dei campioni per convalidare questi dati preliminari.
My industrial Ph.D. project was focused on two aims.
The first one was the development of a screening strategy to discover new NLRP3 selective inhibitor compounds; the second one was the evaluation of the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in cigarette smoke (CS)-associated inflammation in human primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs).
The two strategies were connected to each other: following the screening campaign, the positive non-toxic compounds discovered, should have been investigated in in-vitro experimental models of CS-associated lung disease.
The screening campaign was conducted, and 319 compounds were screened. Two preliminary actives were found. The orthogonal assay confirmed the biological responses. The quality control (QC) of the batches to validate the molecular structure of these two compounds both via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy analysis and mass spectrometry, but unfortunately, the structures of these compounds were not confirmed and therefore both compounds were discarded. The literature data concerning about the expression and the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in CS-associated inflammation are conflicting. For this reason, it was decided to focus the study on the NLRP3 role in lung bronchial epithelial cells stimulated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Our preliminary data reported that CSE induces the activation of Caspase-1, NLRP3 independentely. CSE induces the increse of protein and gene expression of IL-1b, also CSE induces the release of IL-1b and IL-18. Further analyses and an increased samples size will be required to validate these preliminary data.
2023-06-26
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/592800
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5801502024-01-31T00:44:49Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Progressi sperimentali e numerici nella valutazione dell'integrita strutturale dei solidi mediante Thermoelastic Stress Analysis
CAPPELLO, Riccardo
PITARRESI, Giuseppe
GAGLIO, Salvatore
thermoelastic stress analysi
experimental mechanic
finite element analysi
fracture mechanic
composite materials
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/580150
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5759692024-02-07T01:06:22Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
BIOFORTIFICATION AND INNOVATIVE SUSTAINABLE AGRONOMIC PRACTICES TO ENHANCE YIELD AND QUALITY OF LEAFY AND FRUITING VEGETABLES
CONSENTINO, Beppe Benedetto
D'ANNA, Fabio
BAGARELLO, Vincenzo
Biofortification
Vegetable
Biostimulant
Herbaceous grafting
Sustainable agronomic practice
Settore AGR/04 - Orticoltura E Floricoltura
2022-12
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/575969
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5748702024-01-30T00:35:14Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Development of statistical methods for the analysis of textual data
SIMONETTI, Andrea
TUMMINELLO, Michele
CONSIGLIO, Andrea
Text Mining
NLP
Network Analysi
Statistics
Settore SECS-P/06 - Economia Applicata
2022-12-06
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/574870
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5751282024-02-07T01:00:52Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Distance-based and ranking methods for preference rankings, preference-approvals and textual analysis
ALBANO, ALESSANDRO
PLAIA, Antonella
CONSIGLIO, Andrea
Preference ranking
Preference approval
Ranking method
Textual analysis
Settore SECS-S/01 - Statistica
2022-12-06
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/575128
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5800922024-01-31T00:44:46Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Objective features in quantum states
CHISHOLM, Dario Alexander
PALMA, Gioacchino Massimo
CANNAS, Marco
Quantum-to-classical transition
Quantum objectivity
Quantum Darwinism
Spectrum broadcast structure
Open quantum system
Collision models
Settore FIS/03 - Fisica Della Materia
One of the key features of quantum mechanics is that any superposition of quantum states is in itself a legitimate quantum state. This has far reaching consequences, and is behind the stark difference in behaviour between quantum and classical systems. In particular, quantum systems are not -unlike classical ones- intrinsically objective, that is, different observers are not always able to agree on the properties of the system. Understanding the conditions for objectivity in quantum states is therefore key to address the wider issue of the quantum-to-classical transition. Here, we discuss several aspects of quantum objectivity, and in particular subtleties that arise to the definitions of objectivity whenever non-ideal scenarios are taken into account. We first explore the emergence of objectivity in novel open system dynamics. We then discuss the relations between different methods to quantify objectivity, prove their non-equivalence and the implications that this entails. Finally, we provide proof-of-principle evidence on the reproducibility of non-trivial objective states on quantum computers.
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/580092
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5941932024-01-27T00:32:11Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Cancer-related cachexia: insight for a multimodal approach
MANGANO, Giuseppe Donato
BARONE, Rosario
BUCCHIERI, Fabio
Cancer-related cachexia
exercise training
Settore BIO/16 - Anatomia Umana
2023-06-26
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/594193
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5800862024-01-31T00:51:46Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
HOME COUNTRY INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTS ON INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS
BUITRAGO RUBIANO, Ricardo Ernesto
BIANCHI, Carmine
MANCUSO, SALVATORE
Institutions, Institutional Quality, Emerging Economies, System Dynamics, PLS-SEM, Modeling, International Competitiveness.
Settore SECS-P/01 - Economia Politica
La qualità delle istituzioni di un Paese ha un effetto significativo sulla sua performance economica. Istituzioni forti possono garantire un'allocazione efficiente delle risorse, ridurre l'incertezza e gli attriti e favorire il coordinamento tra gli agenti economici. Al contrario, istituzioni deboli determinano una riduzione degli investimenti, un rallentamento della crescita della produttività e una minore crescita del PIL. Buone istituzioni favoriscono le sinergie tra gli investimenti diretti esteri e le imprese locali, nonché le ricadute di produttività. Al contrario, istituzioni poco sviluppate possono interferire con le attività produttive e impedire lo sfruttamento delle ricadute di conoscenza. Le funzioni istituzionali comprendono la formulazione di regole e leggi, la loro applicazione e distribuzione e la fornitura di servizi pubblici. Nei Paesi in via di sviluppo le istituzioni sono spesso deboli, con conseguenti differenze in termini di conformità e durata. Gli effetti della debolezza istituzionale nelle economie emergenti e in via di sviluppo sono particolarmente utili per esaminare le cause e gli effetti della debolezza istituzionale.
The quality of a country’s institutions has a significant effect on its economic performance. Strong institutions can guarantee the efficient allocation of resources, reduce uncertainty and friction, and foster coordination among economic agents. In contrast, weak institutions result in lower investment, slower productivity growth, and lower GDP growth. Good institutions foster synergies between foreign direct investment and local businesses, as well as productivity spillovers. In contrast, underdeveloped institutions can interfere with productive activities and impede the exploitation of knowledge spillovers. Institutional functions include formulating rules and laws, their application and distribution, and the provision of public services. Institutions in developing nations are frequently weak, resulting in variances in compliance and durability. The effects of institutional weakness in Emerging and Developing Economies are especially useful for examining the causes and effects of institutional weakness.
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/580086
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5733712024-01-14T01:12:25Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
AI for Resource Allocation and Resource Allocation for AI: a two-fold paradigm at the network edge
Busacca, Fabio Antonino
TINNIRELLO, Ilenia
Artificial Intelligence
AI
Machine Learning
ML
Game Theory
Internet Of Thing
IoT
Low Power Wide Area Network
LPWAN
Colosseum Channel Emulator
Emulation
Resource Allocation
Edge Network
UAV
Vehicular Network
LoRa
Software Defined Radio
SDR
Reinforcement Learning
MINLP
Performance Evaluation
Real Testbed
Channel Emulation
System Modeling
Settore ING-INF/03 - Telecomunicazioni
5G-and-beyond and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are pushing a shift from the classic cloud-centric view of the network to a new edge-centric vision. In such a perspective, the computation, communication and storage resources are moved closer to the user, to the benefit of network responsiveness/latency, and of an improved context-awareness, that is, the ability to tailor the network services to the live user's experience. However, these improvements do not come for free: edge networks are highly constrained, and do not match the resource abundance of their cloud counterparts. In such a perspective, the proper management of the few available resources is of crucial importance to improve the network performance in terms of responsiveness, throughput, and power consumption. However, networks in the so-called Age of Big Data result from the dynamic interactions of massive amounts of heterogeneous devices. As a consequence, traditional model-based Resource Allocation algorithms fail to cope with this dynamic and complex networks, and are being replaced by more flexible AI-based techniques as a result. In such a way, it is possible to design intelligent resource allocation frameworks, able to quickly adapt to the everchanging dynamics of the network edge, and to best exploit the few available resources. Hence, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and, more specifically Machine Learning (ML) techniques, can clearly play a fundamental role in boosting and supporting resource allocation techniques at the edge. But can AI/ML benefit from optimal Resource Allocation? Recently, the evolution towards Distributed and Federated Learning approaches, i.e. where the learning process takes place in parallel at several devices, has brought important advantages in terms of reduction of the computational load of the ML algorithms, in the amount of information transmitted by the network nodes, and in terms of privacy. However, the scarceness of energy, processing, and, possibly, communication resources at the edge, especially in the IoT case, calls for proper resource management frameworks. In such a view, the available resources should be assigned to reduce the learning time, while also keeping an eye on the energy consumption of the network nodes. According to this perspective, a two-fold paradigm can emerge at the network edge, where AI can boost the performance of Resource Allocation, and, vice versa, optimal Resource Allocation techniques can speed up the learning process of AI algorithms. Part I of this work of thesis explores the first topic, i.e. the usage of AI to support Resource Allocation at the edge, with a specific focus on two use-cases, namely UAV-assisted cellular networks, and vehicular networks. Part II deals instead with the topic of Resource Allocation for AI, and, specifically, with the case of the integration between Federated Learning techniques and the LoRa LPWAN protocol. The designed integration framework has been validated on both simulation environments, and, most importantly, on the Colosseum platform, the biggest channel emulator in the world.
2022-11-22
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/573371
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5945942024-02-07T01:06:11Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Analysis of the effects of innovative radiotherapy treatments in zebrafish
PUCCI, Gaia
CAVALIERI, Vincenzo
CAVALIERI, Vincenzo
Radiotherapy
Radioprotection
Zebrafish
Zebrafish embryo
Curcumin
Settore BIO/11 - Biologia Molecolare
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/594594
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5757942024-02-07T00:55:51Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
CIGARETTE SMOKE INDUCES p38 MAPK-INITIATED AND FAS-MEDIATED ERYPTOSIS
RESTIVO, Ignazio
TESORIERE, Luisa
PITARRESI, Giovanna
eryptosi
cigarette smoke
death-inducing signaling complex (DISC)
p38 MAPK
ceramide
caspases
Settore BIO/10 - Biochimica
2022-12-12
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/575794
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5952732024-02-11T01:09:46Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Repetitiveness Measures based on String Attractors and Burrows-Wheeler Transform: Properties and Applications
ROMANA, Giuseppe
SCIORTINO, Marinella
LOMBARDO, Maria Carmela
Burrows-Wheeler Transform
String Attractor
Measure of repetitivene
Combinatorics on Word
Data Compression
Stringology
Compressed Data Structures
Settore INF/01 - Informatica
2023-07-06
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/595273
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5743492024-01-24T00:56:07Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Local methods for complex spatio-temporal point processes
D'ANGELO, Nicoletta
ADELFIO, Giada
CONSIGLIO, Andrea
spatial statistic
spatio temporal point processe
local feature
second-order characteristic
summary statistics
Settore SECS-S/01 - Statistica
2022-12-06
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/574349
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5827052024-03-09T06:15:01Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Inequalities in student performances in the Italian universities
PRIULLA, ANDREA
ATTANASIO, Massimo
CONSIGLIO, Andrea
Higher education
Educational inequalitie
University careers.
Settore SECS-S/05 - Statistica Sociale
2023-03-17
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/582705
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6250532024-02-23T02:37:50Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
CX3CL1 modulator in the inflammatory processes of Alzheimer’s disease
IEMMOLO, Matilda
GHERSI, Giulio
PIGNATARO, Bruno Giuseppe
Alzheimer's disease
CX3CL1
Inflammation
Settore BIO/10 - Biochimica
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia characterized by the accumulation of β-amyloid plaques, tau tangles, neuroinflammation, and synaptic/neuronal loss, the latter being the strongest correlating factor with memory and cognitive impairment. Through an in vitro study on a neuron-astrocyte-microglia (NAM) co-culture system and on Blood Brain barrier organ on chip (BBB-oC) model, we have analyzed the effects of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from non-AD and AD patients. Moreover, we tested the effect of sCX3CL1 purify protein on BBB-oC. Before to evaluate the effect of the CSF samples, they are characterized for the canonical markers of AD and for the presence of sCX3CL1, the results showed an increase of presence of sCX3CL1 in AD CSF compared to non-AD CSF. After the treatment with the CSF samples the NAM co-cultures were investigate through optical microscopy, and for expression of proteins and enzyme through immunofluorescence analyses, Zymography analyses and Q-PCR analyses. The results showed the activation and up-regulation of factors involved in inflammation pathways including CX3CL1, MMPs and involved in the process of hyperphosphorylation of tau and in the formation of amyloid fragment. Morphology analyses, immunofluorescence analyses and Real Time PCR analyses showed the damage of the blood brain barrier in the BBB-oC model treated with sCX3CL1 purify protein and AD CSF. After carrying out the preliminary in vitro studies, Alzheimer was induced in rats through intracerebroventricular microinjection of Streptozotocin (STZ). The induction of AD was confirmed by dot blot and western blot analyses that showed the presence of the canonical markers in animal model. Other elements, including CX3CL1, were evaluated by western blot analysis and Real Time PCR analyses to identify elements that may be up and downregulated in the metabolic pathways after the induction of Alzheimer’s disease.
2024-02-29
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/625053
eng
numberofpages:74
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6181792024-01-18T00:44:08Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Progettazione tecnologica per le costruzioni incompiute. Quadro metodologico e strategie programmatiche
ANANIA, Francesca
GERMANA', Maria Luisa
NOBILE, Rosario
Technological design
unfinished construction
building proce
methodological framework
Progettazione tecnologica
costruzioni incompiute
processo edilizio
quadro metodologico
Settore ICAR/12 - Tecnologia Dell'Architettura
La tesi si inserisce in un già ampio dibattito scientifico e culturale riguardante il progetto sull’ambiente costruito, da tempo consolidatosi come ambito di azione principale e soprattutto prioritario nell’attuale panorama del settore edilizio. La ricerca focalizza in particolare le costruzioni incompiute che, per loro origine e morfologia, rappresentano un’anomalia: un’inusuale categoria di ambiente costruito non ancora soggetta a codifica. Il
presupposto della ricerca in oggetto è la possibilità che costruzioni incomplete, varie per scala, tipologie, destinazione d’uso originaria, contesti di riferimento, possano in talune circostanze considerarsi opportunità per
l’avvio di nuovi processi edilizi, coerenti con le rinnovate esigenze della contemporaneità. L’indagine, a partire dall’investigazione del fenomeno, si sviluppa intorno all’elaborazione di un necessario quadro metodologico che
possa indirizzare l’intervento sin dalle fasi analitiche e programmatiche, valutando le condizioni di fatto e le prestazioni potenziali che implicitamente suggeriscono, tenendo conto dei più recenti orientamenti in materia di
sostenibilità.
The thesis is part of an already wide scientific and cultural debate regarding the project on built environment that has long been consolidated as the main and priority field of action in the current panorama of the construction sector. The research is particularly focused on unfinished constructions that represent an anomaly because of their origin and morphology: these are an unusual category of built environment that is not been coded yet. This kind of constructions varies in scale, type, original intended use and referring contexts. Unfinished constructions if considered in certain circumstances may o er new building processes to meet contemporary society's needs, which is the prerequisite for this doctoral research. The survey was conducted starting with the definition of a necessary methodological framework that can guide the project on an unfinished pre-existence from the rst analytical and programmatic stages, evaluating the factual conditions and potential performance that implicitly suggest, taking into account the latest sustainability
guidelines.
2023-12-18
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/618179
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6245952024-02-21T04:52:58Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
INLA-SPDE SPATIAL MODELLING AND BAYESIAN MEDIATION ANALYSIS: INSIGHTS, ADVANCES AND APPLICATIONS
RUBINO, Claudio
ADELFIO, Giada
INLA
SPDE
spatial
bayesian
mediation
climate change
MTC
socio-economic inequality
mobility
health
Settore SECS-S/01 - Statistica
2024-03-01
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/624595
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6200342024-01-10T18:02:52Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
L’INADEMPIMENTO DELL’OBBLIGAZIONE E LA RESPONSABILITÀ DEL DEBITORE ALLA LUCE DELLA RECENTE DISCIPLINA IN TEMA DI RISTRUTTURAZIONE DEI DEBITI
GRILLO, Sofia
VENUTI, Maria Carmela
DI CHIARA, Giuseppe
Ristrutturazione dei debiti
2024-01
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/620034
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5866502024-02-11T01:09:44Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Beneficial fungi modulate herbivore-induced plant defenses of arable crops in multitrophic interactions
ALINC, Tugcan
PERI, Ezio
BAGARELLO, Vincenzo
plant defense signaling pathway
plant volatile organic compound
tomato
stink bug
egg parasitoid
Settore AGR/11 - Entomologia Generale E Applicata
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/586650
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5953132024-02-11T01:09:40Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
The spread of the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun 1896 in the Mediterranean Sea: analysis of environmental and trophic niche and metal levels at different spatial scales
BARDELLI, Roberta
VIZZINI, Salvatrice
AIUPPA, Alessandro
Invasive specie
Non-indigenous specie
Marine coastal area
Transitional ecosystem
Stagnone di Marsala
Alien specie
Stable isotope
Population dynamic.
Biological invasions are globally acknowledged as one of the major causes of biodiversity loss. Considering the urgency of understanding what are the effects of biological invasions on recipient ecosystems, this research focuses on the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus, one of the most successful invaders of Mediterranean coastal ecosystems.
First, a general assessment of the overlap of the Grinnellian niche of the species in native and invaded ranges was carried out to verify whether the blue crab maintained the characteristics of its climatic niche when establishing in invaded areas (niche conservatism hypothesis) or, alternatively, it adapted to the specific abiotic characteristics of recipient environments (niche shift hypothesis). The results showed a low degree of niche overlap between native and invaded ranges, highlighting that a niche shift occurs and indicating that the species not only colonized the areas where the oceanographic conditions reproduced those occurring in native ranges, but was also able to adapt to novel environmental contexts occurring in the Mediterranean Sea.
Subsequently, a study of a newly recorded population within the Stagnone di Marsala, a marine coastal area in north-west Sicily (Italy), was performed. At first, an investigation of the structure and seasonal dynamics of the population within this basin was performed. Thereafter, an analysis of the isotopic niche and trophic position was conducted comparing C. sapidus with two autochthonous brachyurans, Carcinus aestuarii and Eriphia verrucosa in order to clarify the trophic role of the blue crab and potential interaction with other crabs. Results showed that in this marine coastal area the blue crab is much abundant in the northern part of the basin during summer, and males and females are not uniformly distributed. Moreover, no relationship among abundance of the species, and abiotic (salinity and temperature) and biotic (macrophyte biomass) factors investigated was found. The study revealed that, even if is not as abundant as in other Mediterranean area, this species is largely capable of establish and reproduce even in a habitat where environmental characteristics (e.g., salinity and temperature) are remarkably different from those it experiences in its native environment as well in other areas to date invaded. Furthermore, the results of the analysis performed on the isotopic niche and trophic position of the three brachyurans species suggest that they exploit different food sources and have considerably diverse trophic habits. Specifically, the different position of the niches in the isotopic space, the negligible overlap and the relatively different trophic positions of the three species, suggest a repartition of the niche. Moreover, a mixing model performed to elucidate which sources are the most consumed by C. sapidus, highlighted a general preference for animal prey, although characterized by a considerable spatial and seasonal variation likely influenced by the temporal and local availability of animal and vegetal trophic resources.
Eventually, an assessment of Callinectes sapidus as a biomonitor species was carried out, through the evaluation of metal concentration in blue crabs sampled in five locations across the Mediterranean Sea. Subsequently, a comparison with bivalves, the most used marine organisms for biomonitoring purposes, was performed to check whether the blue crab is able to provide reliable information on metal contamination in the environment. Results indicated that its omnivorous trophic habits may represent an important factor affecting trace metal content and, ultimately, its ability to provide information consistent with those that can be obtained from bivalves. The results emphasized that the trophic plasticity of blue crab and other invertebrate taxa proposed for biomonitoring purposes may represent an open issue in environmental toxicology. Accordingly, an advanced analysis of trophic habits through stable isotope technique may help to understand the observed patterns of variation in contaminant levels.
Overall, the findings of the present thesis provided an advanced perspective on the invasion biology and ecology of Callinectes sapidus, in particular addressing previously unexplored knowledge voids regarding the variation and expansion of the species, its population structure and dynamics as well its trophic role in a recently invaded marine coastal area, and the potential use of the blue crab as a bioindicator. These results are an additional step towards a deeper knowledge of this invasive species, an essential aspect in the implementation of successful management strategies for the control and mitigation of its impact on Mediterranean Sea ecosystems.
2023-07
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/595313
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5747092024-01-27T00:37:05Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
An integrated approach to cope with anthropogenic drivers of ecosystem change: the thermal vent case study
BERLINO, Manuel
SARA', Gianluca
AIUPPA, Alessandro
ecosystem functioning
ocean acidification
anthropogenic driver
climate change
integrated ecosystem approach
2022-12-06
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/574709
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5985342023-12-28T23:59:46Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS BASED ON GEOPOLYMER AND NATURAL FIBERS
Sanfilippo, Carmelo
VALENZA, Antonino
PIRROTTA, Antonina
geopolimeri, fibre naturali, trattamento superficiale, sisal, metacaolino, precursori, attivatori green
I materiali geopolimerici rappresentano una nuova classe di materiali sempre più emergente nell’edilizia. Nella produzione di materiali cementizi, la possibilità di sfruttare materie prime derivanti da materiali da riciclo e con basso impatto ambientale consente di ottenere un materiale tecnologico che rispetta le attuali normative ambientali pur mantenendo elevate performance meccaniche di ampio interesse per l’utilizzo in varie applicazioni strutturali. Le proprietà dei materiali geopolimerici dipendono da numerosi fattori come le proprietà dei precursori, rapporti volumetrici tra precursori e attivatori, temperatura di stagionatura, caratteristiche degli attivatori etc. Questo rende non sempre facile lo studio del comportamento meccanico, chimico e fisico di questi materiali. Di fatto a differenza dei materiali cementizi tradizionali, la combinazione di tutti questi fattori comporta significative differenze nel materiale geopolimerico. Si può affermare che i geopolimeri sono una classe di materiali il cui potenziale deve ancora essere completamente studiato e solo attraverso una comprensione dettagliata della scienza di tale materiale si può fare pieno uso delle loro proprietà per applicazioni specifiche. Tuttavia, tale materiale potrebbe diventare rapidamente rilevante e di grande interesse commerciale nell’ambito dell’edilizia se pensato come sostituto al cemento Portland. Questo perché un materiale ben caratterizzato ma difficile da utilizzare nel mondo reale è in effetti inutile. D’altro canto, effettuare nuove sperimentazioni che consentano di comprenderne a pieno il loro comportamento, contribuirebbe a dare una risposta alla crescente domanda di nuovi materiali da costruzione che abbiano basse emissioni di gas serra.
Questa ricerca si propone nello studio di materiali leganti geopolimerici legati alla tematica della sostenibilità e dell’impatto ambientale grazie all’utilizzo di materie prime di scarto da utilizzare per la produzione di leganti innovativi.
I princincipali vantaggi dell’utilizzo di queste materie prime sono dati dalla facile reperibilità. Lo scopo della ricerca è quindi la formulazione di nuovi sistemi leganti ad attivazione alcalina che siano in gradi di fornire caratteristiche meccaniche e chimiche simili a quelle dei comuni leganti inorganici. Sono studiate formulazioni partendo da un’opportuna scelta dei materiali, ottimizzando il mix-desing dei costituenti al fine di realizzare materiali capaci di offrire elevate performance. Per meglio interpretare e comprendere l’ottenimento di queste proprietà verrà approfondita la caratterizzazione fisico chimica delle materie prime, degli attivatori e dei prodotti di reazione.
Nella prima fase si è deciso di caratterizzare un nuovo materiale che utilizzi come attivatore un mix di polveri di idrossido di calcio (Ca(OH)2) e silicato di potassio (K2O·nSiO2) e come precursore il metacaolino. La scelta del metacaolino è data del fatto che il sistema ottenuto sarebbe stato facilmente confrontabile con altri studi presenti in letteratura, in particolare sono stati utilizzati 3 metacaolini diversi, MK3, MK4, ed MK19, per tenere conto del fatto che le proprietà del metacaolino variano a seconda del sito di estrazione dell’argilla caolinitica, della temperatura di calcinazione e della composizione. La scelta dell’attivatore risiede nel fatto che utilizzando questo sistema attivante si sarebbe ottenuto un impasto user-friendly.
Nella seconda parte è stata effettuata una campagna sperimentale che prevede lo studio del miglioramento delle prestazioni meccaniche della matrice geopolimerica attraverso l’uso di fibre naturali, nello specifico le malte geopolimeriche sono state additivate con fibre di sisal corte, ottenendo un materiale fibrorinforzato con caratteristiche più o meno isotrope. I geopolimeri mostrano un comportamento di fragilità e bassa duttilità simile ai materiali a base di cemento Portland. Questa caratterizzazione si concentra sulla valutazione delle fibre di sisal come rinforzo di una matrice geopolimerica. Sono stati prodotti campioni di controllo senza rinforzo e matrici rinforzate con diversi contenuti di sisal (da 0,5 a 2,0% in peso) per studiare l'influenza del contenuto di fibra sulle proprietà meccaniche dei compositi geopolimerici risultanti. La caratterizzazione meccanica consiste in prove di compressione, trazione indiretta e flessione su tre punti. I risultati dei test hanno mostrato l'esistenza di un contenuto di fibra ottimale che dipende dal tipo di fibra per raggiungere la massima resistenza, mentre i risultati del test di flessione a tre punti hanno indicato una relazione lineare tra la resistenza alla flessione e il contenuto di fibra. Successivamente la fibra utilizzata come rinforzo è stata sottoposta a un trattamento superficiale ecologico ed economico basato sull'immersione della fibra in una soluzione di bicarbonato di sodio a diverse concentrazioni per migliorare l'adesione fibra-matrice. La caratterizzazione meccanica (mediante flessione, compressione e trazione indiretta) ha permesso di evidenziare che il trattamento con bicarbonato di sodio porta a un notevole miglioramento delle prestazioni meccaniche dei compositi geopolimerici rinforzati con fibre di sisal.
2023-07-05
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/598534
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5950982024-02-11T01:09:36Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
The mass determination challenge for exoplanetary science
DI MAIO, Claudia
ARGIROFFI, Costanza
CANNAS, Marco
Planetary mass, Atmosphere, Retrieval, CCF, Spots, Stellar Activity
Settore FIS/05 - Astronomia E Astrofisica
The mass of an exoplanet is a key parameter for the characterisation of the internal structure of a planet, as well as the study of the formation and the evolution of the planet, and its atmosphere. The radial velocity technique allows for measuring the planetary mass from the radial velocity variation of its parent star. However, limitations in the property determination of exoplanets, particularly in their masses, can arise from various sources especially from astrophysical noise due to stellar variability, caused by magnetic activity, which affects the detection and characterisation of exoplanets.
This PhD thesis aims to understand the impact of our knowledge of the planetary mass in the planetary atmospheric characterisation and to reduce the sources of uncertainty by a deep study of the stellar activity and by developing new techniques for stellar variability filtering.
To this end, I analysed the impact of the planetary mass uncertainties of atmospheric retrievals of multiple targets from the mission reference sample of Ariel, the forthcoming ESA M4 mission aimed at studying planetary atmospheres. I simulated different spectra as observed by Ariel, assuming a primordial or secondary atmosphere of hot Jupiters, and sub-Neptunes or super-Earths, respectively, under different cloudy configurations. I estimated both the accuracy and precision necessary for each analysed target, testing also the capability of retrieval in the case of incorrect mass estimation. I verified that one of the most crucial issues is the presence of high-altitude clouds, in particular in the secondary atmosphere cases. For this reason, I tested the capability to retrieve the cloudy configuration or the
presence of a secondary atmosphere during the first tier of the Ariel mission, to take an informed decision if including the planet in the Tier-2 sample. In the second part of this thesis, I described SpotCCF, a photospheric stellar model that I developed to optimise the radial velocity extraction in fast-rotating stars. This model, based on the cross-correlation function technique, takes into account the contribution of stellar activity by considering the presence of multiple spots on the stellar surface that caused deformation of the profile of the cross-correlation function. I applied this model to the HARPS-N observations of V1298 Tau, a very active K1 star, which shows strongly deformed cross-correlation function (CCF) profiles. The SpotCCF model is also able to give information about the spot configuration (latitude, longitude and area covered by the spot). In the end, I also focused my study on understanding stellar activity in M dwarfs, which is crucial for improving our understanding of the physics of stellar atmospheres and for planet search programs.
Specifically, I analysed HARPS and HARPS-N observation of AD Leonis, measuring the line profiles and intensities of sensitive activity indicators, and evaluating the correlations between them.
Globally, the PhD thesis highlights the importance of planetary mass characterisation and the complexity of their determination due to the effects of stellar variability. In the context of the Ariel mission, it highlights the importance of a detailed and individual analysis of each target of the mission reference sample, to be able to accurately select the Tier-2 targets and characterise their planetary atmosphere, and represents a step forward towards the preparation of the ESA M4 Ariel mission. It
also shows how this work cannot be disentangled from a detailed study of the stellar variability that is crucial in the determination of the planetary mass, both in its accuracy and precision.
2023-06
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/595098
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5936132024-03-07T00:38:24Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Les maqāmāt/munāẓarāt paysagères au Yémen à l’époque postclassique et la question de leur généricité
Saitta, Gianluca
Yémen, littérature premoderne, Maqāma, munāzara, paysage
Settore L-OR/12 - Lingua E Letteratura Araba
2017-07-04
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/593613
fre
info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5891712024-03-10T01:40:42Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Remote and Proximal Sensing in Precision Oliviculture
ROMA, Eliseo
CATANIA, Pietro
BAGARELLO, Vincenzo
Digital agriculture
Precision farming
UAV
Vegetation Index.
Settore AGR/09 - Meccanica Agraria
2023-05-12
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/589171
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5802702024-02-01T01:06:25Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Fatti e Fabule. Geografie more-than-wet del Mediterraneo Nero
PALERMO, Gabriella
DE SPUCHES, Giulia
DE SPUCHES, Giulia
Black Mediterranean
more-than-wet
oceanic turn
telling turn
turbulent materiality
Settore M-GGR/01 - Geografia
2023-02-17
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/580270
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5731852024-03-10T01:40:42Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
The osteogenic potential of physical activity
AMATO, Alessandra
PROIA, Patrizia
OLIVERI, Massimiliano
bone metabolism
exercise
sport
bone health
physical activity
2022-11
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/573185
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5694282024-01-30T00:30:12Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Common mechanisms underlying membrane modifications induced by protein interactions
ANSELMO, Sara
PALMA, Gioacchino Massimo
LAZZARA, Giuseppe
protein-membrane interaction
cell-penetrating peptide
Transportan 10
a-casein, fluorescence
RICS
Phasor approach
Laurdan
di-4-ANEPPDHQ
membrane hydration
2022-10-25
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/569428
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6227372024-02-02T00:29:09Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
«Altri versi» di Eugenio Montale. Un libro poetico doppio, tra bifrontismo e monismo
CANDELA, Giuseppe
CARTA, Ambra
CASTIGLIONE, Marina Calogera
Eugenio Montale
poesia del Novecento
letteratura italiana
poesia
2024
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/622737
ita
numberofpages:254
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5906312024-01-23T00:44:02Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
La pianificazione linguistica in Cina dopo il 1949
Politiche cinesi e italiane a confronto
CUI, Weiwei
CASTIGLIONE, Marina Calogera
CASTIGLIONE, Marina Calogera
Politica linguistica
Pianificazione linguistica
2023-06-12
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/590631
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6002542024-03-10T01:40:42Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Questionnaire on the Experience and Evaluation of Work: uno strumento per la valutazione del benessere nei luoghi di lavoro. Validazione e applicazione dell’adattamento italiano
SCIOTTO, Giulia
INGUGLIA, Cristiano
OLIVERI, Massimiliano
validazione
QEEW
adattamento italiano
benessere
stress lavoro-correlato
2023-07-20
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/600254
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6238742024-02-21T04:53:00Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Divisoriality and m-canonical ideal for quadratic quotients of the Rees algebra
FRIGENTI, Fabio
D'ANNA, Marco
LOMBARDO, Maria Carmela
m-canonical ideal
quadratic quotients of the Rees algebra
divisoriality
Settore MAT/02 - Algebra
Let R be a one-dimensional Cohen-Macaulay local ring and I an ideal of R. It is well known that both the classical construction of Nagata’s idealization R ⋉ I and a recent construction known as amalgamated duplication, are Gorenstein when I is a canonical ideal of R. This property holds also for a more general family of rings, the quadratic quotients of the Rees algebra associated to R with respect to an ideal I and the elements a, b ∈ R, defined in an attempt to provide a unified approach of the two construction above. Since for a one-dimensional Noetherian domain the Gorenstein property is equivalent to the divisorial property, our pourpose is to understand, in a more general setting, when a quadratic quotient R(I)a,b is divisorial when I is an m-canonical ideal of R.
2024
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/623874
eng
numberofpages:51
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5800542024-01-30T00:36:45Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Pattern formation in hyperbolic reaction-transport systems and applications to dryland ecology
GRIFO', Gabriele
LOMBARDO, Maria Carmela
Pattern formation
hyperbolic reaction-transport system
linear and weakly nonlinear stability analyse
inertial time
vegetation patterns
Settore MAT/07 - Fisica Matematica
Pattern formation and modulation is an active branch of mathematics, not only from the perspective of fundamental theory but also for its huge applications in many fields of physics, ecology, chemistry, biology, and other sciences. In this thesis, the occurrence of Turing and wave instabilities, giving rise to stationary and oscillatory patterns, respectively, is theoretically investigated by means of two-compartment reaction-transport hyperbolic systems. The goal is to elucidate the role of inertial times, which are introduced in hyperbolic models to account for the finite-time propagation of disturbances, in stationary and transient dynamics, in supercritical and subcritical regimes.
In particular, starting from a quite general framework of reaction-transport model, three particular cases are derived. In detail, in the first case, the occurrence of stationary patterns is investigated in one-dimensional domains by looking for the inertial dependence of the main features that characterize the formation and stability process of the emerging patterns. In particular, the phenomenon of Eckhaus instability, in both supercritical and subcritical regimes, is studied by adopting linear and multiple-scale weakly-nonlinear analysis and the role played by inertia during the transient regime, where an unstable patterned state evolves towards a more favorable stable configuration through sequences of phase-slips, is elucidated.
Then, in the second topic, the focus is moved to oscillatory periodic patterns generated by wave (or oscillatory Turing) instability. This phenomenon is studied by considering 1D two-compartment hyperbolic reaction-transport systems where different transport mechanisms of the species here involved are taken into account. In these cases, by using linear and weakly nonlinear stability analysis techniques, the dependence of the non-stationary patterns on hyperbolicity is underlined at and close to the criticality. In particular, it is proven that inertial effects play a role, not only during transient regimes from the spatially-homogeneous steady state toward the patterned state but also in altering the amplitude, the wavelength, the migration speed, and even the stability of the travelling waves.
Finally, in the last case, the formation and stability of stationary patterns are investigated in bi-dimensional domains. To this aim, a general class of two-species hyperbolic reaction-transport systems is deduced following the guidelines of Extended Thermodynamics theory. To characterize the emerging Turing patterns, linear and weakly nonlinear stability analysis on the uniform steady states are addressed for rhombic and hexagonal planform solutions.
In order to gain some insight into the above-mentioned dynamics, the previous theoretical predictions are corroborated by numerical simulations carried out in the context of dryland ecology. In this context, patterns become a relevant tool to identify early warning signals toward desertification and to provide a measure of resilience of ecosystems under climate change. Such ecological implications are discussed in the context of the Klausmeier model, one of the easiest two-compartment (vegetation biomass and water) models able to describe the formation of patterns in semi-arid environments. Therefore, it will be also here discussed how the experimentally-observed inertia of vegetation affects the formation and stability of stationary and oscillatory periodic vegetation patterns.
Pattern formation and modulation is an active branch of mathematics, not only from the perspective of fundamental theory but also for its huge applications in many fields of physics, ecology, chemistry, biology, and other sciences. In this thesis, the occurrence of Turing and wave instabilities, giving rise to stationary and oscillatory patterns, respectively, is theoretically investigated by means of two-compartment reaction-transport hyperbolic systems. The goal is to elucidate the role of inertial times, which are introduced in hyperbolic models to account for the finite-time propagation of disturbances, in stationary and transient dynamics, in supercritical and subcritical regimes.
In particular, starting from a quite general framework of reaction-transport model, three particular cases are derived. In detail, in the first case, the occurrence of stationary patterns is investigated in one-dimensional domains by looking for the inertial dependence of the main features that characterize the formation and stability process of the emerging patterns. In particular, the phenomenon of Eckhaus instability, in both supercritical and subcritical regimes, is studied by adopting linear and multiple-scale weakly-nonlinear analysis and the role played by inertia during the transient regime, where an unstable patterned state evolves towards a more favorable stable configuration through sequences of phase-slips, is elucidated.
Then, in the second topic, the focus is moved to oscillatory periodic patterns generated by wave (or oscillatory Turing) instability. This phenomenon is studied by considering 1D two-compartment hyperbolic reaction-transport systems where different transport mechanisms of the species here involved are taken into account. In these cases, by using linear and weakly nonlinear stability analysis techniques, the dependence of the non-stationary patterns on hyperbolicity is underlined at and close to the criticality. In particular, it is proven that inertial effects play a role, not only during transient regimes from the spatially-homogeneous steady state toward the patterned state but also in altering the amplitude, the wavelength, the migration speed, and even the stability of the travelling waves.
Finally, in the last case, the formation and stability of stationary patterns are investigated in bi-dimensional domains. To this aim, a general class of two-species hyperbolic reaction-transport systems is deduced following the guidelines of Extended Thermodynamics theory. To characterize the emerging Turing patterns, linear and weakly nonlinear stability analysis on the uniform steady states are addressed for rhombic and hexagonal planform solutions.
In order to gain some insight into the above-mentioned dynamics, the previous theoretical predictions are corroborated by numerical simulations carried out in the context of dryland ecology. In this context, patterns become a relevant tool to identify early warning signals toward desertification and to provide a measure of resilience of ecosystems under climate change. Such ecological implications are discussed in the context of the Klausmeier model, one of the easiest two-compartment (vegetation biomass and water) models able to describe the formation of patterns in semi-arid environments. Therefore, it will be also here discussed how the experimentally-observed inertia of vegetation affects the formation and stability of stationary and oscillatory periodic vegetation patterns.
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/580054
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6244132024-02-21T04:52:48Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Sviluppo di nuovi metodi per la funzionalizzazione delle nanoforme del carbonio e successive applicazioni catalitiche
MERCADANTE, Alessandro
GIACALONE, Francesco
PITARRESI, Giovanna
nanotubi
nanocipolle
nanoforme del carbonio
nanocorni
funzionalizzazione
disolfuri
catecolo
solfonammidi
2024-02-29
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/624413
ita
numberofpages:150
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6297342024-03-28T01:38:02Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
The International Commercial Arbitration in BRICS: toward a common framework for dispute resolution
BONO, Marta
MANCUSO, SALVATORE
MANCUSO, SALVATORE
Commercial Arbitration
Private International Law
BRICS
legal framework
Settore IUS/13 - Diritto Internazionale
2024
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/629734
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5950942024-02-11T01:09:41Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
MODELLI DATA-DRIVEN VALORIZZAZIONE DELLE INFORMAZIONI DIGITALI A SUPPORTO DEI PROCESSI DECISIONALI DELLA SUPPLY CHAIN
DRAGO, Giuseppe
AIELLO, Giuseppe
GAGLIO, Salvatore
Digital supply chain management, Statistical learning, Supply chain disruption, Supply chain finance, Risk management, Public management, Health economics, COVID-19.
Settore ING-IND/17 - Impianti Industriali Meccanici
2023-06
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/595094
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5757892024-03-07T00:38:25Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
FRESH AND DEHYDRATED SULLA FORAGE IN DAIRY EWES FEEDING: EFFECTS ON FEED UTILIZATION, OXIDATIVE STATUS AND PROPERTIES OF MILK AND CHEESE
PONTE, Marialetizia
BONANNO, Adriana
BAGARELLO, Vincenzo
dehydrated sulla forage
condensed tannin
dairy ewe
fatty acid
polyphenol
healt properties
Settore AGR/19 - Zootecnica Speciale
Settore AGR/18 - Nutrizione E Alimentazione Animale
2022-12
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/575789
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5948332024-02-07T01:06:14Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Colorectal cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles induce TGFβ1-mediated epithelial to mesenchymal transition of normal hepatocytes:
new insights on pre-metastatic niche formation in the liver
URZI', Ornella
FONTANA, Simona
BUCCHIERI, Fabio
Colorectal cancer
Hepatocyte
Liver metastasi
Small extracellular vesicle
Transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGFβ1).
More than 50% of patients affected by colorectal cancer (CRC) present liver metastasis, which is the most frequent cause of CRC-associated death. Numerous studies have shown that metastatic cascade is the result of complex mechanisms based on two-way interactions between invasive CRC cells and liver resident cells. In recent years, several findings have demonstrated that small extracellular vesicles (SEVs) released by cancer cells play a crucial role in the formation of pre-metastatic niche in the liver, specifically affecting the activities of non-parenchymal cells as Kupffer cells and hepatic stellate cells. However, although hepatocytes (heps) are the most conspicuous in the liver, their involvement in pre-metastatic niche formation remains still unknown. This study shows for the first time that SEVs derived from CRC cells (CRC_SEVs) carrying TGFβ1 impair the morphological and functional properties of human normal heps and trigger their TGFβ1-dependent epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, SEVs were also isolated from the plasma and biopsies of CRC patients. Heps treated with patients-derived SEVs underwent an EMT, thus confirming previous results. Since it is known that the EMT of heps led to the formation of a fibrotic environment, which can promote metastasis, the obtained results indicate for the first time that heps can have an active role in regulating the pre-metastatic niche formation.
Uveal melanoma (UM) is rare cancer originating from the uveal tract within the eye. Fifty percent of UM patients will develop metastatic disease, mainly in the liver; however, the reasons why the metastatic site is almost exclusively the liver are still unknown. Moreover, the role of UM-derived SEVs in initiating liver metastasis is still unknown. Similarly, to CRC-SEVs, it was found that UM-SEVs induce EMT in human normal heps.
Finally, to investigate the establishment of a fibrotic environment in CRC-SEVs-conditioned liver, a three-dimensional (3D) model, represented by liver spheroids was developed. Once characterized, liver spheroids were treated with CRC-SEVs, which decreased functional and structural markers expression, thus confirming the data obtained in 2D. Moreover, CRC-SEVs treatment increased the production of fibronectin, a known marker of fibrosis, in liver spheroids. By co-culturing metastatic CRC cells with liver spheroids, it was demonstrated that the pre-conditioning with SEVs derived by CRC cells isolated from the primary tumor strongly increased the ability of metastatic cells to invade liver spheroids. Collectively these data shed the light on mechanisms involved in the formation of the pre-metastatic niche in the liver, demonstrating that heps actively participate in this process. This evidence may help to find new therapeutic opportunities to counteract liver metastasis of CRC.
2023-06-26
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/594833
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5750512024-02-07T01:02:19Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
IMPIEGO DI SCAFFOLD SINTETICO PER IL TRATTAMENTO E LA PREVENZIONE DEL LAPAROCELE – MODELLO SPERIMENTALE NELLA CHIRURGIA RIGENERATIVA
LICARI, Leo
SALAMONE, Giuseppe
RUSSO, Antonio
scaffold
surgery
ventral hernia
abdominal wall
scaffold
chirurgia
chirurgia rigenerativa
laparocele
parete addominale
Settore MED/18 - Chirurgia Generale
2022-12-15
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/575051
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6238552024-02-21T04:00:37Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
A practical solutions framework in the brownfield regeneration process
RAMEZANI, Mina
RONSIVALLE, Daniele
Brownfield, framework, solution, MaxQDA
Brownfields, characterized by abandoned or underutilized industrial sites, present formidable challenges to urban environments worldwide, including environmental contamination, deteriorating infrastructure, and neglect. Despite existing theoretical frameworks and individual case studies, there remains a lack of a comprehensive and practical solution framework capable of guiding the regeneration of brownfields on a larger scale, hindering global progress in brownfield revitalization efforts. This research addresses this gap by proposing a tailored solution framework for brownfield regeneration processes, with a specific focus on the Division 77th Barracks in Mashhad, Iran, as a case study. The Division 77th Barracks of Mashhad in Iran exemplifies the complexities associated with brownfield sites, including contamination, inadequate infrastructure, and disengaged stakeholders, necessitating a context-specific approach to revitalization. The lack of a comprehensive toolkit designed for this context impedes progress and perpetuates underutilization. This study aims to develop an integrated framework by analyzing site-specific challenges, identifying successful strategies, and incorporating relevant international best practices. Utilizing interviews as the primary data collection method, this research employs MaxQDA software for a more detailed analysis of qualitative data, widely used in environmental and social sciences for statistical analysis. Through extensive stakeholder consultation and data analysis, the study will produce a practical solution framework that integrates essential elements such as planning, policy, environmental remediation, financing, community engagement, and stakeholder coordination.By bridging the gap between theory and practice, the proposed framework will provide decision-makers, urban planners, and practitioners with a robust and adaptable resource to guide brownfield regeneration processes not only for the Division 77th Barracks but also for brownfields globally. This research contributes to sustainable urban development, environmental remediation, and improved quality of life for communities.
2024-07
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/623855
eng
numberofpages:287
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6245242024-02-21T04:52:58Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES, UNCERTAINTY, AND GREEN TRANSITION
SHAKOOR, Nadia
FURCERI, Davide
MUGGEO, Vito Michele Rosario
green patent
WUI
uncertainty
innovation
Environmental Policie
Income Inequality
Settore SECS-P/01 - Economia Politica
2024-03-04
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/624524
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5950932024-02-11T01:09:37Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS OF LIQUID BIOPSY IN IMMUNOTHERAPY: ROLE OF EXOSOMES, MICRORNAS AND PLASMA EXPRESSION LEVELS OF IMMUNE CHECKPOINTS IN PATIENTS WITH SOLID TUMORS
BRANDO, Chiara
RUSSO, Antonio
RUSSO, Antonio
Immune checkpoint
liquid biopsy
solid tumors
2023-07-04
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/595093
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6245282024-02-21T04:52:47Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Chemical and isotopic characterisation of the atmospheric deposition in volcanic, urban, industrial, and rural environments in Sicily, Italy
BRUGNONE, Filippo
D'ALESSANDRO, Walter
PARELLO, Francesco
AIUPPA, Alessandro
Atmospheric Depositions
Major elements
Trace elements
Lanthanoids
Particulate matter
Boron isotopes
Strontium isotopes
Settore GEO/08 - Geochimica E Vulcanologia
The chemical composition of atmospheric deposition is influenced by several factors, including the chemical composition of gases and particulate matter from natural and anthropogenic sources, chemical and physical reactions during pollutant transport, and removal processes. This study aimed at investigating the atmospheric deposition by analysing rainwater pH and the concentration of major (F-, Cl-, HCO3-, NO3-, SO42-, Na+, K+, NH4+, Ca2+, and Mg2+), trace (Li, B, Al, Si, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Tl, Pb, U), ultra-trace elements (Sc, Ge, Te, Y, Nb, Zr, Hf, Th, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu), and of the isotopic composition of B (δ11B/10B) and Sr (87Sr/86Sr). A network of fifteen bulk collectors was used to collect 301 monthly atmospheric deposition samples for almost two years from four different contexts: urban, industrial, rural, and volcanic. Different techniques, including titration, ionic chromatography, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission and mass spectrometry, and multi-collector mass spectrometry, were employed to analyse these samples.The results showed that the natural acidity of rainwater in the Etna area was derived from the dissolution of volcanic acid gases, while in urban and industrial areas, the acidity was increased by the dissolution of anthropogenic SOx and NOx and generally neutralised by Ca2+ and Mg2+ of crustal origin. Principal Component Analysis and Positive Matrix Factorisation were used to process the major ion concentrations, revealing that natural sources were responsible for the emissions of Na+, Cl-, and partly Mg2+ (dissolution of sea-salt aerosols), Ca2+, HCO3- and, to some extent, Mg2+ and K+ (dissolution of crustal materials), and of F-, and partly Cl-, and SO42- (volcanic emissions). Conversely, K+ (biomass burning), NH4+ (agricultural activities), NO3- and SO42- (domestic heating, vehicular traffic, industrial emissions) were derived, mainly, from anthropogenic sources. Deposition rates of major ions were also calculated, with the highest values observed at coastal sites for Na+ and Cl-, and close to Mt. Etna for F- and SO42-.In terms of trace elements, volcanic activity significantly contributed to the enrichment of rainwater in many trace elements, especially during the paroxysms that occurred between 2021 and 2022, resulting in intense volcanic ash deposition. The industrial area of Milazzo had the highest deposition fluxes of Br and B (marine source), as well as Ni, Mo, and Cr (industrial emissions). The urban area of Palermo had the highest flux of Sb, resulting from vehicle brake wear and tear. Comparing our data to those obtained for some trace elements in European rainwater showed that lower concentrations of Pb, Fe, and Al were found for rainwater in Sicily than in Europe, not considering the rainwater samples from Etna in which strong Fe and Al enrichments were measured. On the contrary, significant enrichments were observed for Zn, V, Cu, Ni, Cr, and As due to local inputs from urban and industrial emissions.The concentration of trace elements in rainwater obtained from filtered (0.45 μm) aliquots only allows quantification of the contribution of the most soluble atmospheric particulate fraction. To have a complete picture of atmospheric deposition, it is necessary to measure the less soluble atmospheric particulate fraction in rainwater. This can be done by measuring the concentration of trace elements in two additional matrices: (i) solution obtained by the acidic mineralisation of the insoluble fraction deposited on the filters, and (ii) solution obtained by the dissolution of the material adhering to the surface of the bulk collector at the end of each sampling period. The insoluble fraction constituted for many elements the main contribution to the bulk atmospheric deposition, reaching up to 96.3%, 95.5%, and 86.8% for Ti, Fe, and Al, respectively. The relative contributions of the recovery solution reached values up to 9.37% for Pb. The samples obtained during dry and rainy periods revealed significant differences.Technology-critical elements (TCEs) include ultra-trace elements, Sc, Zr, Nb, Ge, Y, Te, Hf, and Th, and the lanthanoids, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu. Rainwater in urban areas had the highest concentrations of Sc, Zr, Nb, and Hf, while that of the Etna area had the highest concentrations of Ge, Y, and Te. Concentrations of Th were similar between the different contexts. Rainwater from Etna had the highest concentrations of all lanthanoids, indicating that volcanic sources and leaching of volcanic ash enriched rainwater in these usually very low-concentration elements. Boron and strontium isotopic compositions in rainwater samples were different in the Mt. Etna area compared to other study areas. Two sources of atmospheric emissions of B and Sr were identified. The marine source was predominant in urban and industrial areas close to the coastline, while the volcanic isotopic signature was prevalent at all sites on Mt. Etna and detectable up to 35 km from the summit craters.
2024-02-26
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/624528
eng
numberofpages:345
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
alleditors:D'ALESSANDRO, Walter
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6230932024-02-09T00:53:30Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
On the representability of actions of non-associative algebras
MANCINI, Manuel
METERE, Giuseppe
LOMBARDO, Maria Carmela
Action representable category
action accessible category
split extension
categories of interest
internal action
non-associative algebra
partial algebra
Leibniz algebra
Poisson algebra
semi-abelian category
Settore MAT/02 - Algebra
We study the categorical-algebraic condition of internal actions being weakly representable in the context of non-associative algebras over a field. It is known that such varieties are action accessible if and only if they are Orzech categories of interest and it is also known that both these conditions are implied by weakly representable actions in this context.Our first aim is to give a complete characterization of action accessible, operadic quadratic varieties of non-associative algebras which satisfy an identity of degree two (so commutative or anti-commutative algebras) and to study the representability of actions for them. Moreover, we prove that the varieties of two-step nilpotent commutative and anti-commutative algebras are weakly action representable.Our second aim is to work towards the construction, still within the context of algebras over a field, of a weakly representing object E(X) for the actions on (or split extensions of) an object X of a variety of non-associative algebras V. We actually obtain a partial algebra E(X), which we call external weak actor of X, together with a natural monomorphism of functors SplExt(-,X) >--> Hom_PAlg(U(-),E(X)), where PAlg is the category of partial algebras and U: V --> PAlg denotes the forgetful functor, which we study in detail in the case of Leibniz algebras, where E(X) = Bider(X) is the Leibniz algebra of biderivations of X. Furthermore, the relations between the construction of the universal strict general actor USGA(X) and that of E(X) are thoroughly described.Eventually, we study the representability of actions of the category of (non-commutative) Poisson algebras, showing a possible direction for the construction of the external weak actor for any action accessible variety of algebras with two non-necessarily associative bilinear operations. We conclude with some open problems.
2024
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/623093
eng
numberofpages:123
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5646262024-03-09T06:19:09Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Autonomia privata e Contratto di lavoro Sportivo – Tra rigido formalismo e autonomia dei privati
VITAGLIANO, FABRIZIO
SANTORO, Laura
MIRANDA, Antonello
Autonomia
privata
Diritto
sportivo
Settore IUS/01 - Diritto Privato
2022-07-25
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/564626
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5952932024-02-11T01:09:48Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
La tecnica del bilanciamento nella giurisprudenza dei tribunali internazionali
ACCONCIAMESSA, Lorenzo
DE SENA, Pasquale
SCHIAVELLO, Aldo
balancing
general principles of law
international court
principle of sovereignty
proportionality
reasonableness
bilanciamento
principi generali del diritto
tribunali internazionali
principio di sovranità
proporzionalità
ragionevolezza
Settore IUS/13 - Diritto Internazionale
La presente ricerca esamina il ruolo della tecnica del bilanciamento tra interessi, principi o valori nel ragionamento del giudice internazionale. Da un punto di vista tecnico, essa tenta di chiarire le funzioni che il bilanciamento può svolgere nell’ambito dell’esercizio della funzione giudiziaria internazionale, e quale sia la struttura dell’argomentazione giudiziaria che su essa si fondi, sempre che un approccio comune tra i diversi tribunali internazionali sia riscontrabile. Da un punto di vista di politica giudiziaria, intende fornire alcune possibili spiegazioni della diversa propensione dei diversi tribunali internazionali a fare ricorso a tale tecnica o, nella giurisprudenza di uno stesso tribunale internazionale, del diverso uso che di essa si faccia nel tempo o a seconda della natura della controversia, delle parti e del diritto applicabile. Infine, inquadrando gli esiti della ricerca nel più ampio contesto dell’ordinamento internazionale contemporaneo, il lavoro si chiede se il maggiore o minore ricorso a tale tecnica da parte dei diversi tribunali internazionali possa essere un indice della percezione che ciascuno di essi abbia della propria funzione e, più ampiamente, del ruolo della funzione giurisdizionale nell’ambito dell’ordinamento internazionale. Nel far ciò, la ricerca intende inserirsi nel dibattito relativo al ruolo del giudice nell’ordinamento internazionale. In particolare, affronta il tema del se, anche a fronte dell’incremento nel numero di tribunali internazionali e delle controversie loro devolute, il giudice sia divenuto un attore maggiormente rilevante in tale ordinamento, ove pure la funzione giudiziaria è sottosviluppata rispetto ai sistemi giuridici interni, il quale, rilevando e interpretando le regole volte alla risoluzione delle specifiche controversie, contribuisce allo sviluppo progressivo del diritto internazionale e alla protezione dei valori su cui si fonda. Il lavoro è strutturato in quattro capitoli.
Il Capitolo I, nel tracciare lo stato attuale del dibattito dottrinale in materia, inquadra la tecnica del bilanciamento nell’ambito delle caratteristiche strutturali dell’ordinamento internazionale (in gran parte riconducibili alla centralità dello Stato e della sovranità statale) come possibile “problema” o “soluzione” a determinati problemi. Esso evidenzia come tali caratteristiche, da un lato, sembrano opporsi al ricorso alla tecnica del bilanciamento da parte del giudice internazionale ma, dall’altro lato, costituiscono un quadro favorevole affinché ciò avvenga.
Il Capitolo II è dedicato alla ricostruzione di una “definizione operativa” di cosa debba intendersi per tecnica del bilanciamento giudiziale. Ciò implica la necessità di un esame storico, relativo a come questa tecnica si sia progressivamente consolidata nella giurisprudenza dei giudici interni, e di un’analisi teorica, che chiarisca i presupposti e le caratteristiche della tecnica. Lo scopo è stato quello di individuare un modello teorico sufficientemente generale – al netto, quindi, delle specificità che caratterizzano singoli ordinamenti interni o le diverse teorie – da poterne successivamente riscontrare la presenza nella giurisprudenza dei tribunali internazionali. Tale analisi chiarisce la struttura dell’argomentazione giudiziaria fondata sul bilanciamento così come le diverse funzioni (di gap filling, interpretativa, e di soluzione dei conflitti normativi) che essa può svolgere nell’ambito dell’esercizio della funzione giurisdizionale. Infine, il bilanciamento, così come ricostruito, è stato comparato con altre forme di ragionamento giuridico di tipo non formalistico e che, in misura maggiore o minore, rinviano a principi generali e valori.
Il Capitolo III, di carattere prettamente empirico, esamina la giurisprudenza dei tribunali internazionali in cui si faccia, espressamente o implicitamente, ricorso alla tecnica del bilanciamento. L’analisi è realizzata sulla base di una classificazione fondata sulle diverse tipologie di tribunali internazionali esistenti (permanenti e ad hoc, a competenza generale e specializzati). La struttura del lavoro, quindi, distingue tra tribunali interstatali (ad hoc, permanenti, e a competenza specializzata), tribunali penali internazionali (ad hoc, permanenti, con ciò riferendosi alla Corte penale internazionale, e misti), tribunali regionali, e organi universali, di monitoraggio sul rispetto dei trattati in materia di diritti umani e, infine, tribunali arbitrali investitore-Stato.
Il Capitolo IV individua quelle che, alla luce della giurisprudenza esaminata, sembrano essere le ragioni che incidono sulla diversa propensione dei tribunali internazionali presi in considerazione a ricorrere alla tecnica del bilanciamento come metodo decisionale e quali indicazioni la maggiore o minore propensione di un tribunale possa dare in merito alle modalità di esercizio della funzione giurisdizionale internazionale e al ruolo della stessa nell’ambito dell’ordinamento.
Le Conclusioni esaminano la tendenza individuata nel presente lavoro, segnatamente, la progressiva scomparsa o comunque la ridotta rilevanza della tecnica del bilanciamento nell’ambito della giurisprudenza dei tribunali internazionali globalmente considerati. Il quadro che sembra emergere è quello di un approccio sempre più restrittivo da parte dei tribunali internazionali alla rilevazione, interpretazione e applicazione del diritto internazionale, con il riconoscimento di maggiori spazi di discrezionalità degli Stati e di deferenza nei confronti delle scelte sovrane degli stessi.
This present research examines the role of the technique of balancing of interests, principles or values in the reasoning of international courts. From a technical point of view, it attempts to clarify the functions that the balancing test can fulfil in the exercise of the international judicial function, as well as the structure of the judicial reasoning based on it, provided that a common approach among different international courts can be found. From a judicial policy perspective, it aims to provide some possible explanations for the different propensity of different international courts to make use of this technique or, within the jurisprudence of the same international court, the different use of it over time or depending on the nature of the dispute, the parties and the applicable law. Finally, framing the results of the research in the broader context of the contemporary international legal order, the research aims at clarifying whether the greater or lesser use of this technique by different international tribunals may be an indication of each tribunal’s perception of its own function and, more broadly, of the role of the judicial function within the international legal order. In doing so, the research intends to contribute to the debate on the role of the judge in the international legal order. In particular, it addresses the issue of whether, in the face of the increase in the number of international courts and tribunals and the number of disputes submitted to them, the judge has become a more relevant actor in that order, where the judicial function is underdeveloped compared to domestic legal systems; in particular, the research aims to clarify whether international tribunal, by surveying and interpreting the rules aimed at resolving specific disputes, contribute to the progressive development of international law and the protection of the values on which it is based. The thesis is structured in four chapters.
Chapter I, in outlining the current state of the doctrinal debate on the subject, frames the balancing technique within the structural features of the international legal system (largely grounded on the centrality of the State as a subject and State sovereignty as a fundamental principle) as a possible “problem” or “solution” to certain problems. It shows how these features, on the one hand, seem to oppose recourse to the balancing technique by international tribunals but, on the other hand, provide for a favourable framework for it to happen.
Chapter II is devoted to reconstructing an “operational definition” of what is to be understood by the judicial balancing technique. This implies the need for a historical examination of how this technique has progressively consolidated in the jurisprudence of domestic courts and a theoretical analysis clarifying the prerequisites and characteristics of the technique. The aim was to identify a sufficiently general theoretical model – without taking into account, therefore, the specificities that characterise individual domestic legal systems or the various theories that have been developed – to be able to subsequently ascertain its presence in the jurisprudence of international tribunals. This analysis clarifies the structure of judicial argumentation based on balancing as well as the different functions (gap-filling, interpretative, and normative conflict resolution) that it can perform in the exercise of the judicial function. Finally, balancing, as reconstructed, is compared with other forms of legal reasoning of a non-formalistic type and which, to a greater or lesser extent, refer to general principles and values.
Chapter III, of a purely empirical nature, examines the jurisprudence of international tri-courts in which recourse is made, expressly or implicitly, to the balancing technique. The analysis is carried out on the basis of a classification based on the different types of existing international courts and tribunals (permanent and ad hoc, of general jurisdiction and specialised). The structure of the work, therefore, distinguishes between inter-State tribunals (ad hoc, permanent, and with specialised jurisdiction), international criminal tribunals (ad hoc, permanent, referring to the International Criminal Court, and mixed), regional tribunals, and universal bodies, monitoring compliance with human rights treaties, and, finally, investor-State arbitration tribunals.
Chapter IV identifies what, in the light of the jurisprudence examined, appear to be the reasons that affect the different propensity of the international tribunals considered to use the balancing technique as a decisional method, and what indications the greater or lesser propensity of a tribunal may give as to how the international judicial function is exercised and its role within the system.
The Conclusions examine the trend identified in the present work, namely, the gradual disappearance or at least the reduced relevance of the balancing technique within the jurisprudence of international courts and tribunals globally. The picture that seems to emerge is that of an increasingly restrictive approach by international courts and tribunals to the detection, interpretation and application of international law, with the recognition of greater space for States’ margin of appreciation and a more evident deference paid by international tribunals towards sovereign decisions.
2023-07-07
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/595293
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5763702024-02-21T05:39:30Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
UN METODO INNOVATIVO DI ANALISI MODALE OPERATIVA PER L’IDENTIFICAZIONE STRUTTURALE
RUSSOTTO, Salvatore
PIRROTTA, Antonina
PIRROTTA, Antonina
FUNZIONE DI CORRELAZIONE
IDENTIFICAZIONE
MONITORAGGIO
TRASFORMATA DI HILBERT
Settore ICAR/08 - Scienza Delle Costruzioni
2022-12-13
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/576370
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6245262024-02-21T04:52:54Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Beyond funding: Within-Industry Corporate Venture Capital and Industry Concentration
Nuttah, Muntaser Mohamed
Dr. Cristiano Bellavitis e Dr. Yong Li
ROMA, Paolo
LO NIGRO, Giovanna
Corporate Venture Capital
Market Competition
Industry Concentration
Preemption
Competitive Strength
Strategy
Entrepreneurial Finance
Policy
Empirical Analysis
Settore ING-IND/35 - Ingegneria Economico-Gestionale
Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) investments have fostered innovation among young firms,since CVC investors not only provide financial resources, but they also offer many strategicresources that are not offered by other funders, such as industry-specific expertise, know-howsand other intangible resources that could be hard to imitate in the early start of young ventures.However, CVC investments often involve established industry incumbents that may takeadvantage of their CVC-backed ventures, that is, by appropriating their know-hows anddisruptive technologies. In particular, within-industry CVC investments, where both investorsand investees belong to the same industry, may also serve as a strategic maneuver with dualpurpose: they enable incumbents to preempt potential competitors from entering markets, whilesimultaneously reinforcing their own competitive positions within their respective industries.The current study delves into a comprehensive investigation of the relationship between withinindustry CVC investments and industry concentration levels. This research shows that the levelof within-industry CVC investments, relative to all other investments increases industryconcentration, even in the absence of mergers and acquisition activities. We use an extensiveindustry-level dataset of US industries from 2001 to 2016. The implications of this researchextend beyond academic boundaries, resonating profoundly with regulators, entrepreneurialendeavors, and industry incumbents. In this regard, understanding the ramifications of withinindustry CVC investments on market concentration provides valuable insights for regulators inshaping policies that maintain a balance between fostering innovation and preventing the undueaccumulation of market powers. Moreover, young ventures could leverage this knowledge tonavigate the complex terrain of CVC partnerships, thereby enhancing their long-term survival.Furthermore, industry incumbents could strategically position themselves in CVC landscapes,thus solidifying their competitive standing within their market sectors.
2024-02-26
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/624526
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
alleditors:Dr. Cristiano Bellavitis e Dr. Yong Li
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5826832024-03-09T06:15:06Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Wireless Power Transfer for Electric Vehicles: System Design Approach and Energy Storage Characterization
Campagna, Nicola
MICELI, Rosario
CELLURA, Maurizio
Wireless charging
Wireless Power Transfer
Energy Storage
Electric Vehicles
Vehicle Charging
Energy Conversion
Settore ING-IND/32 - Convertitori, Macchine E Azionamenti Elettrici
This thesis is the result of the research work carried out as part of the PhD course in Energy and Information Technology between November 2019 and January 2023 at the University of Palermo jointly with the University of Lisbon. The research project has been focused on wireless charging systems for electric vehicles. A wide-ranging analysis was conducted on the topic, with a particular focus on the design aspects of these systems. This thesis, a summary of the work carried out over the previous three years, is organized into two parts, identifying the macro research activities into which the project was been divided. The first part is focused on the design approach of the Wireless Power Transfer systems, the second one on the energy storage system characterization and design. In each chapter, a basic overview of the subject matter has been firstly provided, resulting from the bibliographical analysis conducted in each phase of the project, followed by a more in-depth discussion of each topic. The majority of the conducted studies have an experimental nature; for this reason, together with the theoretical analysis carried out, the experimental results of the conducted research have been presented.
In Chapter 1, the fundamentals of wireless power transmission are provided through the description of different technologies available in
literature. In Chapter 2, resonant magnetic power transfer systems for electric vehicles charging are discussed. In particular, each element of such systems is analyzed in detail and the experimental results of the work carried out are shown after the statement of the models employed for the study. In Chapter 3, an analysis of dynamic wireless charging systems is provided with a focus on their configurations and control. In Chapter 4, the main energy storage systems for automotive applications are extensively described, with a focus on lithium batteries, supercapacitors and hybrid storage systems. Finally, Chapter 5 takes the form of a summary, presenting di erent practical application of the the investigated systems, treated in the previous chapters.
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/582683
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5656822024-03-09T08:31:17Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Soluzioni smart per la fruizione del patrimonio culturale in siti UNESCO
CARAVELLO, Emanuela
DE SPUCHES, Giulia
DE SPUCHES, Giulia
cultural heritage
UNESCO
World Heritage List
imaginative geographie
destination image
tourism destination
smart solution
ICT
virtual space
Smart Tourism Technologie
smart cultural heritage
Settore M-GGR/01 - Geografia
2022
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/565682
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5832722024-03-15T02:10:25Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Robust Communications for the Underwater Internet of Things
BALDONE, Concetta
TINNIRELLO, Ilenia
TINNIRELLO, Ilenia
Underwater
Communication
Doppler
Ambiguity Function
JANUS
Sweep-Spread Carrier
S2C
Bellhop
Watermark
Settore ING-INF/03 - Telecomunicazioni
In recent years, the emergence of numerous applications and activities involving the underwater world have given rise to a new class of technologies that takes the name of Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT). Submarine activities such as remote control, pollution monitoring, data collection, disaster detection or even early warning and assisted navigation are just some of the main applications that require the use of underwater communication systems capable of providing connectivity between static and mobile nodes deployed at different depths. Generally, underwater communications employ audio signals which can propagate relatively far but are also significantly affected by Doppler distortions. In fact, physical properties of the water and spatial changes due to tides, currents and waves can cause channel variations or unwanted movements of the transmitter or receiver. A plethora of underwater communication techniques have been developed to address such challenging scenarios. In this thesis, we study how to correct Doppler effects in transmission employing JANUS, the first standard for underwater acoustic communication. In particular, we exploit the JANUS preamble, composed of an m-sequence of 32 pseudo-random symbols, to estimate and compensate for the Doppler shift caused by the relative motion of transceivers up to 5 m/s. The proposed method is validated using Watermark simulator and at-sea experiments. Then, we analyze the performance of S2C both in simulation and in-field experiments, based on our own S2C implementation. We undertake extensive simulation experiments, quantitatively measuring the impact of a variety of modulation parameters (such as the sweep duration and the number of coded symbols per sweep), and under different channel characteristics (depth, range, Doppler speed, etc.). Furthermore, we test the performances of the S2C modulation at sea, obtaining good results also in shallow waters.
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/583272
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6232752024-02-09T00:53:24Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
I principi di autodeterminazione e di autoresponsabilità nell'ordinamento italiano.
Il ruolo del consenso dell'avente diritto
PORRETTO, Antonino
MILITELLO, Vincenzo
DI CHIARA, Giuseppe
Consenso
autodeterminazione
autoresponsabilità
Settore IUS/20 - Filosofia Del Diritto
Il presente lavoro ripercorre le origini dei principi di autodeterminazione e di autoresponsabilità, focalizzando l'attenzione sulla loro applicazione nell'ordinamento italiano. Attenzione particolare viene riservata all'istituto del consenso dell'avente diritto e alle tematiche relative alla disponibilità dei beni dell'integrità fisica e della vita.
2024-02-22
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/623275
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6189802024-02-03T00:30:54Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
p65 iso5 and p65 iso5 isoforms, proteins of the NF-kB complex, involved in the inflammatory response.
SPINELLI, Gaetano
DI LEONARDO, Aldo
PIGNATARO, Bruno Giuseppe
Inflammation, NF-kB, splicing, dexamethasone, COVID-19, liver diseases
2023-12-11
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/618980
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5945532024-02-07T01:06:15Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
STUDY OF SMALL MOLECULES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST NONSENSE AND SPLICING MUTATIONS THAT CAUSE CYSTIC FIBROSIS.
PERRIERA, Riccardo
LENTINI, Laura
CAVALIERI, Vincenzo
Cystic fibrosi
CFTR
Nonsense mutation
Translational readthrough
TRID
Organoid
Microsome
Splicing mutation
kinetin
RECTAS
2023-06-30
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/594553
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5968942024-01-10T16:38:11Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Multi-disciplinary analysis to construct a crustal model of the Sicily Channel using geological and geophysical techniques (data): impacts on geological hazard
CAROLLO, ALESSANDRA
SULLI, Attilio
AIUPPA, Alessandro
Sicily Channel model
3D lithospheric model
map of Moho
earthquake relocation
Settore GEO/02 - Geologia Stratigrafica E Sedimentologica
Settore GEO/10 - Geofisica Della Terra Solida
To understand the dynamics of crustal deformation and earthquakes in active orogenic systems, it is essential to have a detailed view of the lithospheric structures in three dimensions (3D). Several studies in the literature explain how 3D visualization can enable the recognition of tectonic structures or to be able to establish connections between intraplate volcanoes (Wu et al., 2016; Lei & Zhao, 2016; Tan et al., 2019).
This work aims to define and discretize a 1D-velocity model of the Sicily Channel; create a detailed 3D lithospheric model of the Sicily Channel using a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate the geological hazard elements that affect the Iblean foreland integrating bathymetry, heat flow, magnetometric, gravimetric, seismicity, geophysical data, and main active faults. Moreover, it aims to produce a qualitative and quantitative model of Moho, integrating data on the most relevant earthquakes and active faults.
Until now, the information concerning the deep lithospheric structure of the Sicily Channel is not very detailed. Most of the knowledge is generally related to the monitoring of earthquakes (e.g., Calò & Parisi, 2014; Agius et al., 2020), seismic surface wave tomography (Kherchouche et al., 2020; Agius et al., 2020), the analysis and interpretation of seismic surface profiles (e.g., Torelli et al., 1995; Corti et al., 2006; Khomsi et al., 2009; Cavallaro et al., 2017; Civile et al., 2018; 2021), analysis of volcanic system (e.g., Rotolo et al., 2006) and plate movement. In addition, the seismic models in the area concern possibly large-scale seismic models that do not cover the total area of the Sicily Channel or are incomplete to be updated.
Three-dimensional lithospheric modeling allows immediate determination of the geometric and kinematic relationships between deep dynamic processes and deformations occurring in the surface crust. Several studies have shown how the three-dimensional model visualization approach, which constrains data of different natures, can be helpful in the study of global tectonics. For example, Wu et al. (2016) performed a tectonic reconstruction of the plates of the Philippine and Asian seas, in which slabs were mapped 3D, allowing them to be quantitatively constructed and plotted in depth. Lu et al. (2019) developed a three-dimensional visualization technique and produced a lithospheric model below the Tibetan plateau.
Although the Sicily Channel is developed in the Pelagian block, an area considered geologically stable bounded by the southern African plateau and the northern Eurasian plateau, complex geological structures characterize it and are seismically active. This zone is known for its potential seismic hazard, as it is located in a seismically active zone; the area suggests that future seismic events are possible. However, it is essential to note that earthquakes' occurrence and intensity are difficult to predict with certainty; attempts are made to monitor and study the seismic activity in the Mediterranean region. Seismological networks and research institutions work to assess seismic hazards and improve understanding of the geological processes at play. These efforts aim to provide early warning systems and develop an approach for mitigating potential earthquakes' impact.
A 3D geodynamic model of the lithosphere is a theoretical framework to study the processes and movements within Earth’s lithosphere, and it aims to show the dynamics of the lithosphere's evolution over geological timescales.
By defining the geodynamic model of the Sicilian Channel's lithosphere, which contains various components, it is possible to identify, e.g., main seismogenic structures or structures that affect the uplift of deep magmatic fluids.
Overall, 3D lithosphere geodynamic models allow understanding of Earth's dynamic processes better and improve the ability to interpret geological observations. They help to refine knowledge of plate tectonics, seismic hazards, and the long-term evolution of the Earth's surface.
2023-07-03
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/596894
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5827062024-03-09T06:15:05Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Advances in survival analysis: applications and extensions of the "standard" competing risks model
BATTAGLIA, Salvatore
ATTANASIO, Massimo
CONSIGLIO, Andrea
Competing risks
Survival Analysis
Overcrowding in Emergency Department
Biostatistics
Covid-19 In-hospital mortality
Settore SECS-S/05 - Statistica Sociale
Settore MED/01 - Statistica Medica
2023-03-17
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/582706
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6115532024-01-31T00:44:59Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Proceso penal especial para casos de desaparición de personas en México. Hacia la construcción de un modelo de proceso penal especial congruente con los derechos procesales de las partes
VALDES RIVERA, Jose Luis
TESAURO, Alessandro
SCHIAVELLO, Aldo
Desaparición de persona
impunidad
sanción, personas acusadas, restricciones ilegítimas.
Settore IUS/16 - Diritto Processuale Penale
La desaparición de personas en México es un problema grave que exige una búsqueda de soluciones desde diferentes niveles. En el ámbito jurídico, además de la reparación del daño y de la búsqueda de la verdad, cobra especial relevancia la sanción de las personas responsables en la comisión de las desapariciones, no obstante, en el actual panorama prevalece la impunidad. Para atender la impunidad referida se parte de la idea de que situaciones especiales requieren tratamientos especiales, pero eso no autoriza a llevar el tratamiento a la vulneración de los derechos de las personas acusadas con el fin de lograr condenas. Por lo tanto, en este trabajo se reflexiona a partir de la necesidad de combatir la impunidad en estos casos sin generar restricciones ilegítimas en los derechos de las personas que intervienen en el proceso penal, especialmente las personas acusadas.
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/611553
spa
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6244182024-02-21T04:52:48Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Enhancing Computational Fluid Dynamics with Artificial Intelligence: an AI-based Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) Emulator for Lava Flow Modeling
AMATO, Eleonora
GAMBINO, Gaetana
LOMBARDO, Maria Carmela
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Emulator
Mathematical Modeling
Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH)
Lava Flow
Settore MAT/07 - Fisica Matematica
The combination of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) expands the scope of fluid modeling, providing high fidelity and fast simulations. A variety of Eulerian CFD methods integrated with AI has been already successfully presented (\textit{e.g.}, for weather forecasting); on the other hand, the combination of AI and Lagrangian methods remains less consolidated. Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) is a Lagrangian mesh-less CFD numerical method, highly reliable for the simulation of complex fluids. Nevertheless, SPH models exhibit limitations in high-resolution real-time simulations of physical phenomena, due to the high computational costs involved. Specifically, SPH simulations of lava flows are well representative of the difficulties in modeling highly complex fluids. Lava is a fluid with a high physical complexity, generating viscous flows, dependent on temperature and rheology, and it may have significant impacts on the surrounding environment. Thus, it is important to monitor lava flows with accurate and timely forecasting of their spatio-temporal evolution. Here, I present an emulator derived from CFD physics-based models, in which AI algorithms join the equation-based mathematical representation of physics, to solve fluid dynamics problems in shorter times. I developed an AI-based emulator for SPH method, in which the conservation of momentum equation is substituted by an Artificial Neural Network (ANN), which learns from SPH simulations. The ANN is trained to estimate SPH particles interaction forces exploiting as input the state of the particles (position, velocity, density). I verified the reliability of the AI-based emulator to remain as faithful as possible to the SPH reference model. Applications to different kind of fluids are shown, starting from an inviscid fluid, up to the study of a viscous fluid with a thermal component, to finally move towards the description of a lava flow evolution, exploiting the potential of the combined use of numerical and AI models. Simulations and emulations have been compared for each step, reaching a high degree of fidelity, and demonstrating the generalizability of the AI-based emulator, tested over problems with varying levels of complexity, and its robustness to different spatial resolutions.
2024
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/624418
eng
numberofpages:120
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6257732024-03-01T03:42:39Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
An Intelligent Management System for Hybrid Network between Visible Light Communication and Radio Frequency
Ngo Trung, Kien
Visible Light Communication, LiFi
This thesis investigates the challenges and potential solutions associated with hybrid Visible Light Communication (VLC) and Radio Frequency (RF) systems for indoor network environments. The rapid development of VLC technology, characterized by its high data rates, energy efficiency, and inherent security features, offers promising opportunities to complement RF networks in providing seamless connectivity and improved performance. However, integrating VLC and RF technologies effectively requires addressing a range of research and engineering challenges, including network coexistence, handover mechanisms, resource allocation, localization, and standardization.We begin by conducting a comprehensive literature review encompassing existing research, technologies, and solutions related to hybrid VLC/RF architectures, handover management, indoor localization techniques, and the challenges faced by these systems. This background provides a solid foundation for understanding the current state-of-the-art and identifying research gaps in the field of hybrid VLC/RF networks.Next, we propose a novel hybrid network architecture that integrates VLC and RF communication systems to enhance their strengths while mitigating their weaknesses. We discuss various types of hybrid VLC/RF architectures found in the literature and present our proposed design, which addresses the identified challenges through innovative strategies and mechanisms.To improve system performance in our hybrid system, we develop an enhanced priority feedback channel that optimizes the traffic priority based on user preferences and network conditions. This approach minimizes service disruptions, reduces latency, and maintains user Quality of Experience (QoE)\nomenclature{QoE}{Quality of Experience}.Furthermore, we introduce a novel intelligent management system architecture tailored for hybrid VLC/RF networks. This system employs advanced algorithms and techniques to optimize resource allocation, load balancing, localization, and handover management, ensuring efficient operation and seamless connectivity.We evaluate the performance of our proposed solutions through extensive simulations and testbed experiments, considering different network scenarios and metrics. The results demonstrate significant improvements in terms of data rate, latency, handover success rate, and localization accuracy, validating the effectiveness of our proposed architecture and management system.Lastly, we explore several real-world applications and case studies of our intelligent management system in various indoor environments, such as retail stores, offices, and hospitals. These examples illustrate the practical benefits of our solution in enhancing customer experiences, optimizing operational efficiency, facilitating targeted marketing, and improving energy management.In conclusion, this thesis contributes to the advancement of hybrid VLC/RF networks by proposing an innovative architecture and intelligent management system that address the key challenges faced by these systems in indoor environments. The findings and solutions presented in this work provided the backbone for the future research and development efforts aimed at fully harnessing the potential of VLC technology in combination with RF networks.
2023-10-31
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/625773
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5800432024-01-27T00:32:10Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Mitigation of the impact of stellar activity on observations of transiting planets
Cracchiolo, Gianluca
CANNAS, Marco
CANNAS, Marco
astronomy
exoplanet
planetary system
planetary atmosphere
stellar activity
stellar spot
space missions
Settore FIS/05 - Astronomia E Astrofisica
La tesi si concentra sulla quantificazione dell'impatto dell'attività stellare sulle osservazioni dei pianeti in transito e sull'identificazione di una metodologia per correggere questi effetti. In particolare, viene approfondito l'effetto delle macchie stellari, sia non occultate che occulte.
La presenza di macchie sul disco stellare visibile può distorcere la curva della luce di transito primaria in modo dipendente dalla lunghezza d'onda, mimando la presenza di un'atmosfera. Per tener conto di questo effetto, la tesi presenta un metodo innovativo per stimare le proprietà delle macchie e la loro distribuzione dalle osservazioni fuori transito e, su questa base, correggere le curve di luce del transito planetario, evitando possibili degenerazioni tra la presenza di un' atmosfera planetaria e delle macchie. Il metodo è sviluppato per la spettroscopia di transito a bassa risoluzione ed è testato su simulazioni realistiche di future osservazioni di transiti planetari con Ariel, una missione spaziale dedicata all'osservazione di circa 1000 esopianeti in transito il cui lancio è previsto nel 2029. Successivamente, il metodo viene applicato a osservazioni reali di HST di un pianeta in transito. Il primo capitolo della tesi presenta il problema delle macchie stellari sulla spettroscopia a bassa risoluzione e gli sforzi finora compiuti per mitigare il loro effetto sulle osservazioni di pianeti transitanti. Il capitolo 2 presenta un metodo per correggere l'effetto delle macchie non attraversate dal pianeta in transito, partendo da un modello base dell'attività stellare, dove la stella macchiata è simulata come una combinazione lineare di spettri stellari a diverse temperature e la stella ha un emissione uniforme. Il metodo è testato su 3 bersagli simulati di sistemi in transito che saranno osservati dalla missione Ariel. Nel capitolo 3 è introdotto un altro componente nel modello stellare, rendendolo più realistico. Infatti, sono simuli nuovamente gli stessi target analizzati nel Capitolo 2 ma includendo l'effetto di oscuramento al bordo al modello stellare. In questo capitolo è illustrata l'importanza di tener conto di questo effetto se si vuole ottenere una buona stima dei parametri delle macchie e una buona correzione dell'atmosfera del pianeta. Nel Capitolo 4, l'approccio presentato nei capitoli precedenti, e testato su simulazioni, è applicato alle osservazioni dei transiti planetari del pianeta LHS 1140 b, acquisite con il Telescopio Spaziale Hubble. L'analisi porta a due possibili scenari: nel primo la stella è molto attiva e quasi il 65% della sua superficie è ricoperta da macchie (contro altri indicatori in letteratura che suggeriscono una stella tranquilla); nel secondo, la stella è quieta ma è circa 300 K più fredda rispetto al primo scenario. In entrambi i casi, la modulazione cromatica osservata derivata dalle curve di luce di transito planetario non è dovuta alla presenza di un'atmosfera planetaria. Nel Capitolo 5, analizzo le curve di luce TESS della stella attiva V1298 Tau, modellando la stella con un modello a 4 macchie, corotanti con la superficie stellare. Tale studio permette non solo di ricavare la distribuzione delle macchie su V1298 Tau ma anche di correggere le curve di luce di transito dei 4 pianeti orbitanti intorno alla stella per l'effetto delle macchie non occultate. I risultati mostrano che l'effetto delle macchie può produrre differenti profondità di transito per i 4 pianeti in banda TESS e K2, giustificando così la discrepanza tra i raggi planetari nelle due bande riportata nella letteratura scientifica.
This thesis focuses on the quantification of the impact of stellar activity on observations of transiting planets and on the identification of a methodology to correct these effects. In particular, the role of starspots, both un-occulted and occulted is considered.
The presence of spots on the visible stellar disk may distort the primary transit light curve in a wavelength-dependent way, mimicking the presence of an atmosphere. To take into account this bias, the thesis presents an innovative method to estimate the spots properties and their distribution from the out-of-transit observations and, on this basis, correct the planetary transit light curves, avoiding possible degeneracy between the presence of the planetary atmosphere and of the spots. The method is developed for low-resolution transit spectroscopy and is tested on realistic simulations of future observations of planetary transits with Ariel, a space mission dedicated to the observation of about 1000 transiting exoplanets whose launch is expected in 2029. Then, the method is applied to real observations of HST of a transiting planet. The first chapter of the thesis presents the state of the art of efforts done so far to mitigate the effect of the spots in planetary observations (chapter 1). Chapter 2 presents a method for correcting the effect of spots not-crossed by the transiting planet, starting from a basic model of the stellar activity, where the spotted star is simulated as a linear combination of stellar spectra at different temperatures and the star has a uniform emission. The method is tested on 3 simulated targets of transiting systems that will be observed by the Ariel mission. In Chapter 3, I introduced another component in the stellar model, making it more realistic. In fact, I simulate again the same targets analyzed in Chapter 2 but including the limb darkening effect to the stellar model. In this chapter, I show the importance of taking into account this effect if a good estimate of the spots’ parameters and a good correction of the planet's atmosphere have to be obtained. In Chapter 4 the approach presented in the previous chapters, and tested on simulations, is applied to observations of planetary transits of the planet LHS 1140 b, acquired with the Hubble Space Telescope. The analysis leads to two possible scenarios: in the first one the star is very active and almost the 65% of its surface is covered by spots (against other indicators in the literature suggesting a quiet star); in the second one, the star is quiet but is about 300 K cooler than in the first scenario. In both cases, the observed chromatic modulation derived from the planetary transit light curves is not due to the presence of a planetary atmosphere. In Chapter 5, I analyze the TESS light curves of the active star V1298 Tau, by modeling the star with a model dominated by 4 spots, co-rotating with the stellar surface. Such a study allows not only to derive the distribution of spots on V1298 Tau but also to correct the transit light curves of the 4 planets orbiting around the star for the effect of non-occulted spots. The results show that the spots’ effect may produce different transit depths for the 4 planets in the TESS and the K2 band, thus justifying the discrepancy between the planetary radii in the two bands reported in the scientific literature.
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/580043
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6245312024-02-21T04:53:00Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Multinational Enterprises and Sustainability: Challenges and Solutions
LEONE, Cristina
MOCCIARO LI DESTRI, Arabella
MUGGEO, Vito Michele Rosario
Multinational enterprise
Sustainability
Settore SECS-P/08 - Economia E Gestione Delle Imprese
This dissertation presents three chapters that offer complementary insights about the relationship between MNEs and sustainability, the challenges involved across different institutional contexts, and the solutions MNEs may design to address these. The dissertation is organized as follows: 1. Chapter I: “Multinational enterprises and global supply chain sustainability: A multilevel framework and research agenda”. 2. Chapter II: “Home country uncertainty and multinational enterprises’ sustainability performance”. 3. Chapter III: “Institutional work and the transfer of diversity and inclusion practices within a multinational enterprise”. Though the thesis has a strong fil rouge that ties its different parts, each chapter serves as a self-contained and comprehensive essay, driven by the overarching objective of both broadening existing management theories and contributing to the enhancement of management practices.
2024-03-04
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/624531
eng
numberofpages:162
info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5885312024-03-08T04:35:34Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Effects of vineyard and olive orchards management practices on soil arthropods, with particular reference to Collembola
GIUGA, Luca
LO VERDE, Gabriella
BAGARELLO, Vincenzo
Soil biodiversity
Taxonomy
Sicily
Cover crops
Superodontella
Agroecosystems
Settore AGR/11 - Entomologia Generale E Applicata
2023-05-12
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/588531
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5952332024-02-11T01:09:38Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
General approaches of processes involved in neurodegeneration using protein and printed phospholipids models
GULLI, Daniele
PIGNATARO, Bruno Giuseppe
CANNAS, Marco
neurodegeneration
protein aggregation
phospholipids model
Settore CHIM/02 - Chimica Fisica
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/595233
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6229002024-02-02T00:47:12Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Liver Transcriptome Analysis in NAFLD Patients
ZITO, Rossella
GRIMAUDO, Stefania
TUTTOLOMONDO, Antonino
NAFLD
NASH
Fibrosi
Mitochondrial function
Oxidative stre
SIRT5
PDCD1
checkpoint inhibitor
SNP
Trascriptome Analysis
Settore BIO/13 - Biologia Applicata
2024-02-21
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/622900
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5868902024-03-07T00:53:03Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Die Darstellung von Triuwe in der deutschen Literatur des Hochmittelalters
YOUSIF GAD ELSEED MOHAMMED, Mohammed
GREENFIELD, JOHN
CASTIGLIONE, Marina Calogera
triuwe
deutsche Literatur
2023-05-12
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/586890
ger
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6246032024-02-21T04:52:49Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
RURAL DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND FARMS BEHAVIOUR
INSOLDA, Debora
PIACENTINO, Davide
MUGGEO, Vito Michele Rosario
Rural development policie
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)
European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF)
Total Factor Productivity (TFP)
Italian farm
Sicilian farm
Local Action Groups (LAGs)
Diversification
Sustainability
Digitalisation
COVID-19
Settore SECS-S/03 - Statistica Economica
2024-03-04
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/624603
eng
numberofpages:147
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6242752024-02-21T04:52:53Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Diospyros digyna Jacq. Fruit: Exploring Bioactive Compounds,
Functional Properties, and Involved Mechanisms
SERIO, Graziella
GENTILE, Carla
PITARRESI, Giovanna
Bioactive compound
antioxidant
oxidative stre
intestinal inflammation
endothelial progenitor cell
antioxidant enzyme
HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS
Settore BIO/10 - Biochimica
2024-02-29
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/624275
eng
numberofpages:160
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5927332024-02-01T01:02:29Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
THE MECHANISM AND POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF CYCLOPHILIN AND SYNDECAN 1 IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: CAN THIS COMBINATION TREATMENT DUPLICATE THE ANTIINFLAMMATORY EFFECT OF CYCLOSPORINE WITHOUT ITS IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE EFFECT?
DOSH, Laura
Cyclosporine A
Cyclophilin A
Probiotic
IBD
inflammation
Syndecan-1
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/592733
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6227962024-02-02T00:29:07Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Topology Optimization Design of Monolithic 3D Printed Compliant Mechanisms for Bio-Inspired Actuation Systems of FWMAVs
CAROLLO, Giovanni
INGRASSIA, Tommaso
GAGLIO, Salvatore
FEA analysi
Compliant Mechanism
Topology Optimization
Additive Manufacturing
Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicle
Bio-inspired
Settore ING-IND/15 - Disegno E Metodi Dell'Ingegneria Industriale
Settore ING-IND/14 - Progettazione Meccanica E Costruzione Di Macchine
L'obiettivo principale della presente tesi è esplorare la capacità di un approccio di progettazione combinato che sfrutta contemporaneamente i vantaggi dell'analisi FEM, dei meccanismi flessibili, dell'ottimizzazione topologica e delle tecnologie di stampa 3D. Oggigiorno la continua ricerca di prodotti più leggeri e semplici è diffusa in ogni realtà industriale che mira a mantenere la competitività. Allo stesso tempo, sebbene la riduzione del numero di componenti di un prodotto sia un obiettivo auspicabile, anche la complessità dei design tende a crescere costantemente.In questo contesto, diventa significativa l'implementazione di un processo di progettazione atto a combinare diversi strumenti ingegneristici, al fine di soddisfare tutte le specifiche di prodotto richieste e di sviluppare prodotti innovativi con migliori prestazioni. In particolare, questa ricerca mira a evidenziare le criticità e le potenzialità dell'implementazione di meccanismi flessibili tramite ottimizzazione topologica nello sviluppo di strutture monocomponente stampabili in 3D per l'attuazione di Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicles (FWMAV) bio-ispirati. Alla ricerca di un approccio moderno alla progettazione, i suddetti strumenti ingegneristici sono stati integrati con l’efficacia delle soluzioni offerte dalla natura, sfruttando l’idea di reingegnerizzare la flessibilità naturale insita nelle strutture biologiche.È stata presa in considerazione anche l'opportunità di personalizzare il design, in modo da fornire una potenziale fonte di ispirazione per una diversa gamma di applicazioni.
The main focus of the present dissertation is to explore the capability of a combined design approach that exploits at once the advantages of FEM analysis, Compliant Mechanisms, Topology Optimization and 3D Printing Technologies. Nowadays the continuous pursuit of lighter and simpler products is widespread in any industrial company aiming to maintain competitivity. At the same time, while part-count reduction of an item is a desirable target, also the complexity of designs tends to be ever-growing.In this context, the implementation of a design process suitable to combine different engineering tools becomes significant, in order to fulfill all the required product specifications and to develop innovative products with increased performances. In particular, this research aims to highlight the critical issues and the potentialities of implementing topology optimized Compliant Mechanisms in the development of monolithic 3D printable structures for the actuation of bio-inspired Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicles (FWMAVs). Seeking a modern approach to design, the aforementioned engineering design tools were integrated with the effectiveness of solutions offered by nature, exploiting the idea of re-engineering the natural flexibility inherent in biological structures.The opportunity of tailoring the design was taken into account too, in order to provide a potential source of inspiration for a different range of applications.
2024
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/622796
eng
numberofpages:171
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6198542024-01-11T01:07:04Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
MODELOS DE SUSCEPTIBILIDAD PARA FLUJOS DE DETRITOS ACTIVADOS POR EL EVENTO EXTREMO DE LLUVIA PRODUCTO DE LAS TORMENTAS TROPICALES EP022020/AMANDA Y AL032020/CRISTOBAL EN EL
SALVADOR
ARGUETA PLATERO, Abel Alexei
CONOSCENTI, Christian
AIUPPA, Alessandro
landslide
susceptibility
model
MARS
rainfall
storm
el salvador
Settore GEO/04 - Geografia Fisica E Geomorfologia
El Salvador se ha visto afectado por movimientos en masa desencadenados principalmente por eventos extremos de lluvia. Por consiguiente, la predicción de las áreas susceptibles a deslizamientos es el primordial insumo para una adecuada y futura gestión del riego. En este estudio se seleccionaron
dos cuencas hidrográficas para predecir las áreas susceptibles las cuales se encuentran ubicadas en el costado norte del Lago de Ilopango en El Salvador. Para la predicción, se hizo uso de los deslizamientos desencadenados por el paso de las tormentas tropicales Amanda y Cristóbal en el año 2020. La identificación de estos movimientos en masa fue tanto puntal (LIP) como poligonal (BODY), definiendo el punto inicial del movimiento y el área de toda la zona afectada, respectivamente. Posteriormente, a través del proceso estocástico se generaron dos modelos de susceptibilidad de deslizamiento (BODY y LIP), empleando 10 variables predictoras (elevación, pendiente, curvatura de planta, curvatura de perfil, índice de humedad topográfica, clasificación de las formas del relieve, orientación norte-sur, orientación esteoeste, uso del suelo y litología). Esta estimación se realizó mediante el análisis de regresión adaptable a gran cantidad de variables conocido como “Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines” (MARS). Los respectivos
resultados se evaluaron a través del cálculo del área bajo las curvas ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic), cuyos valores promedios para el modelo BODY fue de 0.91, y de 0.94 para el modelo LIP. Como resultado,
las variables más importantes para la predicción de áreas susceptibles a deslizamientos son la elevación y la pendiente. Asimismo, se comprobó que el modelo LIP tiene una precisión mayor sobre el modelo BODY,
estableciendo que, con solo el inventario puntual de los movimientos en masa, es posible llegar a un alto grado de predicción sobre el 93%.
El Salvador country has been affected by landslides mainly triggered by extreme rain events. Therefore, the prediction of landslide susceptibility areas is a primary input for proper and future risk management. In this study, two catchments were selected to predict susceptible areas, in the northern part of Ilopango Lake. For prediction, were identified landslides triggered by the tropical storms Amanda and Cristóbal that occurred in 2020. The identification of these mass movements was both punctual (LIP) and polygonal (BODY), which define the initial point of motion and the entire area affected, respectively. Subsequently, two models (BODY and LIP) were generated through the stochastic process, employing 10 predictor variables
(slope, plain curvature, profile curvature, land classification, topographic wetness index, aspect northness, aspect eastness, soil use, and lithology). This estimation was performed by “Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines” (MARS). The respective results were evaluated through the calculation of the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC), which mean values for BODY model was 0.91, and 0.94 for LIP model. As a result, the most important variables to predict landslide susceptibility were elevation and slope. Furthermore, LIP model has a greater precision over BODY model, establishing that with only the punctual landslide inventory is possible to reach a high degree of prediction over 93%.
2023-12-14
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/619854
spa
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6239132024-02-21T04:52:44Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Analysis, functional design, and energy management of power-split hybrid electric vehicles
CASTELLANO, Antonella
CAMMALLERI, Marco
LO NIGRO, Giovanna
power-split continuously variable transmission
hybrid electric vehicle
planetary gearing
multi-mode transmission
functional design
powertrain analysi
energy management strategy
model predictive control
Settore ING-IND/13 - Meccanica Applicata Alle Macchine
To mitigate the ongoing escalation of global warming and air pollution, new regulations have been established in the transport sector in order to minimise greenhouse gases and toxic emissions. To this purpose, a transition from conventional vehicles powered by an internal combustion engine towards more sustainable solutions has been fostered by governments and regulatory bodies worldwide. In this regard, the hybrid electric powertrain appears as an effective alternative to be widely adopted in the short term.The powertrain of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) includes an internal combustion engine and an electric unit. The synergy between these two power sources leads to a significant reduction of both fuel consumption and emissions, avoiding the most critical issues that affect pure electric vehicles, i.e., the low range and the need for significant enhancements to the electric infrastructure.Among the available hybrid technologies, the power-split powertrain is the most versatile solution. The speed, torque and power ratios between the engine, the electric machines, and the wheels are established by the power-split continuously variable transmission (PS-CVT), consisting of a power-split unit (PSU) that includes one or more planetary gear trains (PGs) and, optionally, ordinary gear trains. The PSU enables two kinematic degrees of freedom, making the engine kinematically decoupled from the wheels, thus being able to always operate close to the best efficiency. The simplest power-split layout includes a single PG, but some solutions deploy two or more PGs. Moreover, a system of brakes and clutches can be embedded in a PSU to realise multi-mode PS-CVTs, which makes available multiple power-split layouts to select according to the current driving condition so as to pursue high-efficiency performance.However, any HEV can achieve an actual reduction in fuel consumption and emissions in comparison with a conventional vehicle only if an effective energy management strategy (EMS) is implemented onboard. Hence, the demanded power should be instantaneously split between the engine and the battery so as to keep the ICE operating as efficiently as possible, minimise the powertrain power losses, and maintain the battery state of charge (SOC) around a desired value.Due to the different nature of the main components of a hybrid electric powertrain, its design and analysis often require expertise in several fields, e.g., mechanics, electrics, and control systems. Thus, owing to the two kinematic degrees of freedom of PS-CVTs, the high constructive complexity, the wide variety of the feasible solutions, and the possibility of switching the operating mode, the power-split powertrain requires dedicated mathematical tools that must be accessible to scholars and engineers from different scientific areas.The most common approaches of the relevant literature use an equivalent representation of the PSU based on the lever analogy or the graph theory. The lever analogy is mainly adopted for analysis purposes, but it is not suitable to address more complex PS-CVTs with ordinary gearing and multiple modes. On the other hand, the graph theory is mainly adopted in the design stage, but the enabled design procedure relies on a merely explorative approach achievable only by the aid of extensive computation, which hinders the designer's awareness towards the optimal solution. Moreover, both approaches are not suitable for a rapid assessment of the PSU power losses, which, thus, are often neglected.On the contrary, this dissertation aims to study and extend a unified parametric model for PS-CVTs that enables a universal formulation suitable for both analysis and design purposes. The mathematical treatment relies on physically-consistent functional parameters that univocally characterise any PSU. The resulting equations of speed, torque, and power ratios do not depend on the PSU constructive arrangement, which, instead, only affects the numerical value of the functional parameters. Moreover, a modular, hierarchical design procedure is enabled, as well as a rapid assessment of the PSU meshing losses. As a result, the model provides all the crucial features that a mathematical tool for PS-CVTs requires within a comprehensive formulation.The main advancements of this research are the extension of three previous contributions already available in the literature, where the fundamentals of the modular parametric design and the analysis of single-mode PS-CVTs with up to two PGs were addressed, as well as the PSU meshing losses. Firstly, the analysis procedure has been extended also to multi-mode PS-CVTs with any number of PGs, not only in power-split operation, but also in the full-electric mode. This enabled a comprehensive assessment of the powertrain response, considering also the PSU meshing losses. Moreover, the modular design procedure has been used for the global design of a power-split powertrain. Thanks to the utmost generality of the approach, it has been applied to propose the first power-split hybridisation of an oil drilling rig to recover braking energy during the gravity-driven work phases. Nonetheless, the analysed case study has revealed that the integration of an energy management strategy is essential to pursue the optimal sizing of the thermal and electric unit.Therefore, the research has been focused also on the implementation of effective EMSs relying on the parametric model to assess the optimal operations of power-split hybrid electric powertrains. In this regard, two different approaches have been developed to optimise the operation of the power-split hybrid electric powertrain. The first method deals with the offline assessment of the optimal operating maps resulting in the maximisation of the powertrain global efficiency. The second contribution integrates the unified parametric model within an EMS based on the model predictive control. The universal mathematical formulation of the parametric model and the possibility of a rapid evaluation of the PSU meshing losses have allowed proposing a universal model predictive controller with integrated mode switch and assessing how the consideration of PSU meshing losses and electric machines efficiency affects the controller performance, by comparing internal models with different complexity.
2024-02-21
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/623913
eng
numberofpages:169
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5948562024-02-07T01:06:19Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
A framework for Population Protocols in VANETs
BORDONARO, Antonio
LO RE, Giuseppe
GAGLIO, Salvatore
vanet
population protocols
2023-06-26
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/594856
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5854742024-03-07T00:38:14Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Rational design of Carbon Nanodots as potential theranostic agents in breast cancer
UTZERI, Mara Andrea
CAVALLARO, Gennara
PITARRESI, Giovanna
Carbon Nanodots
Theranostics
Breast cancer
Settore CHIM/09 - Farmaceutico Tecnologico Applicativo
2023-04
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/585474
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5945192024-02-07T01:06:19Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Ideals generated by the inner 2-minors of collections of cells
NAVARRA, Francesco
LOMBARDO, Maria Carmela
Polyominoe
Primality
Groebner basi
Hilbert serie
Macaulay2
Settore MAT/02 - Algebra
In 2012 Ayesha Asloob Qureshi connected collections of cells to Commutative Algebra assigning to every collection $\mathcal{P}$ of cells the ideal of inner 2-minors, denoted by $I_{\mathcal{P}}$, in the polynomial ring $S_{\mathcal{P}}=K[x_v:v\text{ is a vertex of }\mathcal{P}]$. Investigating the main algebraic properties of $K[\mathcal{P}]=S_{\mathcal{P}}/I_{\mathcal{P}}$ depending on the shape of $\mathcal{P}$ is the purpose of this research. Many problems are still open and they seem to be fascinating and exciting challenges.\\
In this thesis we prove several results about the primality of $I_{\mathcal{P}}$ and the algebraic properties of $K[\mathcal{P}]$ like Cohen-Macaulyness, normality and Gorensteiness, for some classes of non-simple polyominoes. The study of the Hilbert-Poincar\'e series and the related invariants as Krull dimension and Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity are given. Finally we provide the code of the package \texttt{PolyominoIdeals} developed for \texttt{Macaulay2}.
2023-07-04
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/594519
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6229162024-02-02T00:47:13Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Role of adipose tissue in breast cancer progression: prognostic biomarkers
PORCELLI, Gaetana
Breast cancer
Obesity
Cancer stem cell
Macrophage
DNA damage
Background Obesity (Ob) is a metabolic disease, considered a globally healthy problem, associated with a heightened risk of tumor development and progression, including breast cancer (BC). In the presence of abundant adipose tissue (AT), the breast gland undergoes multiple changes, mediated by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which favor the dynamic crosstalk between cancer and tumor microenvironment (TME) cells in BC progression. Compelling evidence demonstrates that a subpopulation of neoplastic cells, named cancer stem cells (CSCs), promotes recurrence, relapse, metastatic spread, and anti-cancer drug resistance. It has been pointed out that CSCs benefit from: i) the presence of a pro-inflammatory microenvironment; ii) induction of DNA damage and repair mechanisms; iii) immune cells recruitment, including macrophages; iv) metabolism rewiring and v) aberrant survival pathways' activation.Aims1. Dissecting the dynamic interplay between breast cancer sphere cells (BCSphCs) and adipose stem cells (ASCs).2. Explore the pro-inflammatory role of AT in the recruitment of macrophages in BC.3. Define the contribution of TME in the induction of DNA damage in BC.ResultsTaking advantage of our collection of BCSphCs and ASCs isolated from obese (ASCs/Ob) and normal weight (ASCs/NW) BC patients, we analyzed the molecular mechanisms, boosted by AT, mediating tumor growth and progression. We first characterized the difference between ASCs/NW and ASCs/Ob. Although the two ASC populations display similar mesenchymal stem-cell features, ASCs isolated from obese BC patients showed an increased production of pro-inflammatory and pro-tumorigenic cytokines. Moreover, ASCs/Ob enhanced the proliferative and the tumorigenic potential of BCSphCs, as well as reprogrammed stemness- and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related gene expression and boosted the activation of chemotactic signals. ASCs/Ob-secreted cytokines promoted DNA damage in BCSphCs and primed the switch of infiltrating macrophages toward M2-like cells. Finally, we observed that in BC tissue derived from obese patients the inflammatory environment is mainly nourished by macrophages, expressing CD68 and CD163, which are mainly located close to BC cells positive for γH2AX.ConclusionHere, we observed that ASCs/Ob induce transcriptomic reprogramming in BCSphCs, establishing a permissive microenvironment and favoring M2-like macrophage recruitment and BC cell DNA damage accumulation. The obtained results could clarify the molecular mechanisms shaped by evolving TME during BC progression and lead to prognostic biomarker identification and the design of more effective therapeutic regimens for advanced BC treatment.
2024-02-21
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/622916
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5952762024-02-11T01:09:43Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS INDUCED BY INTRA-ARTICULAR INJECTION OF COMPLETE FREUND’S ADJUVANT ALTERS THE EXPRESSION OF VARIOUS HSPS IN THE DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE SPINAL CORD
FOUANI, Malak
BARONE, Rosario
BUCCHIERI, Fabio
Rheumatoid Arthriti
Neurogenic inflammation
Spinal cord
Heat shock protein
Glutamate 
receptors
2023-06-26
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/595276
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5657022024-03-09T08:31:09Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Studi sul testo di Quinto di Smirne
RUSTIONI, Marta
LUCARINI, Carlo Martino
DE SPUCHES, Giulia
Quintus Smyrnaeu
Posthomerica
textual criticism
greek epic
Settore L-FIL-LET/05 - Filologia Classica
2022
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/565702
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5800422024-01-30T00:37:51Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Mitigation of the impact of stellar activity on observations of transiting planets
Cracchiolo, Gianluca
CANNAS, Marco
astronomy
exoplanet
planetary atmosphere
stellar activity
stellar spot
space missions
Settore FIS/05 - Astronomia E Astrofisica
Il tema centrale della tesi è l'impatto dell'attività stellare sulle osservazioni dei pianeti in transito e sull'identificazione di una metodologia per correggere questi effetti. In particolare, viene approfondito l'effetto delle macchie stellari. La presenza di macchie sul disco stellare visibile può distorcere la curva della luce di transito primaria in modo dipendente dalla lunghezza d'onda, mimando la presenza di un'atmosfera planetaria. Per tener conto di questo effetto, la tesi presenta un metodo innovativo per stimare le proprietà delle macchie e la loro distribuzione dalle osservazioni fuori transito e correggere le curve di luce del transito planetario, evitando possibili degenerazioni tra la presenza delle atmosfera planetaria e delle macchie. Il metodo è sviluppato per la spettroscopia di transito a bassa risoluzione ed è testato su simulazioni realistiche di future osservazioni di transiti planetari con Ariel, una missione spaziale dedicata all'osservazione di circa 1000 esopianeti in transito il cui lancio è previsto nel 2029. Successivamente, il metodo viene applicato alle osservazioni reali di HST di un pianeta in transito. Il capitolo 1 della tesi presenta la letteratura relativa al fenomeno. Il capitolo 2 presenta un metodo per correggere l'effetto delle macchie non attraversate dal pianeta in transito, partendo da un modello base dell'attività stellare, dove la stella macchiata è simulata come una combinazione lineare di spettri stellari a diverse temperature e la stella ha un'emissione uniforme. Il metodo è testato su 3 sistemi transitanti che saranno osservati dalla missione Ariel. Nel capitolo 3 è introdotto un altro componente nel modello di attività stellare, rendendolo più realistico. Infatti, sono simulati nuovamente gli stessi target analizzati nel Capitolo 2 ma includendo l'effetto di oscuramento al bordo. In questo capitolo è discussa l'importanza di tener conto di questo effetto se si vuole ottenere una buona stima dei parametri delle macchie e una buona correzione dell'atmosfera del pianeta. Nel Capitolo 4 l'approccio presentato nei capitoli precedenti, e testato su simulazioni, è applicato a osservazioni di transiti planetari del pianeta LHS 1140 b con il Telescopio Spaziale Hubble. L'analisi porta a due possibili scenari: nel primo la stella è molto attiva e quasi il 65% della sua superficie è ricoperta da macchie (contro altri indicatori in letteratura che suggeriscono una stella tranquilla); nel secondo, la stella è silenziosa ma è circa 300 K più fredda rispetto al primo scenario. In entrambi i casi, la modulazione cromatica osservata derivata dalle curve di luce del transito planetario non è dovuta alla presenza di un'atmosfera planetaria. Nel Capitolo 5, vengono analizzate le curve di luce TESS della stella attiva V1298 Tau, modellando la stella con un modello a 4 macchie rotanti sulla superficie stellare. Tale studio permette non solo di ricavare la distribuzione delle macchie su V1298 Tau ma anche di correggere le curve di luce di transito dei 4 pianeti orbitanti intorno alla stella per effetto delle macchie non occultate. I risultati mostrano che l'effetto delle macchie può produrre differenti profondità di transito per i 4 pianeti in banda TESS e K2, giustificando così la discrepanza tra i raggi planetari nelle due bande riportata nella letteratura scientifica.
This thesis focuses on the quantification of the impact of stellar activity on observations of transiting planets and on the identification of a methodology to correct these effects. In particular, the role of starspots, both un-occulted and occulted is considered.
The presence of spots on the visible stellar disk may distort the primary transit light curve in a wavelength-dependent way, mimicking the presence of an atmosphere. To take into account this bias, the thesis presents an innovative method to estimate the spots properties and their distribution from the out-of-transit observations and, on this basis, correct the planetary transit light curves, avoiding possible degeneracy between the presence of the planetary atmosphere and of the spots. The method is developed for low-resolution transit spectroscopy and is tested on realistic simulations of future observations of planetary transits with Ariel, a space mission dedicated to the observation of about 1000 transiting exoplanets whose launch is expected in 2029. Then, the method is applied to real observations of HST of a transiting planet. The first chapter of the thesis presents the state of the art of efforts done so far to mitigate the effect of the spots in planetary observations (chapter 1). Chapter 2 presents a method for correcting the effect of spots not-crossed by the transiting planet, starting from a basic model of the stellar activity, where the spotted star is simulated as a linear combination of stellar spectra at different temperatures and the star has a uniform emission. The method is tested on 3 simulated targets of transiting systems that will be observed by the Ariel mission. In Chapter 3, I introduced another component in the stellar model, making it more realistic. In fact, I simulate again the same targets analyzed in Chapter 2 but including the limb darkening effect to the stellar model. In this chapter, I show the importance of taking into account this effect if a good estimate of the spots’ parameters and a good correction of the planet's atmosphere have to be obtained. In Chapter 4 the approach presented in the previous chapters, and tested on simulations, is applied to observations of planetary transits of the planet LHS 1140 b, acquired with the Hubble Space Telescope. The analysis leads to two possible scenarios: in the first one the star is very active and almost the 65% of its surface is covered by spots (against other indicators in the literature suggesting a quiet star); in the second one, the star is quiet but is about 300 K cooler than in the first scenario. In both cases, the observed chromatic modulation derived from the planetary transit light curves is not due to the presence of a planetary atmosphere. In Chapter 5, I analyze the TESS light curves of the active star V1298 Tau, by modeling the star with a model dominated by 4 spots, co-rotating with the stellar surface. Such a study allows not only to derive the distribution of spots on V1298 Tau but also to correct the transit light curves of the 4 planets orbiting around the star for the effect of non-occulted spots. The results show that the spots’ effect may produce different transit depths for the 4 planets in the TESS and the K2 band, thus justifying the discrepancy between the planetary radii in the two bands reported in the scientific literature.
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/580042
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5646252024-03-09T06:19:08Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Autonomia privata e Contratto di lavoro sportivo – Tra rigido formalismo e autonomia dei privati
VITAGLIANO, FABRIZIO
SANTORO, Laura
MIRANDA, Antonello
Autonomia privata
Diritto Sportivo
Contratto di lavoro sportivo
Diritto comparato
Settore IUS/01 - Diritto Privato
2022-07-25
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
http://hdl.handle.net/10447/564625
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6124342024-02-10T05:29:53Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Verso un Turismo Urbano Sostenibile nelle Città Costiere Metropolitane del Sud Europa
MAZZAMUTO, MARINA
CARTA, Maurizio
NOBILE, Rosario
Urban Tourism
Sustainability
Southern Europe
Circular Economy
Settore ICAR/21 - Urbanistica
La tesi affronta il complesso tema delle disfunzioni del turismo circoscrivendo l’ambito geografico di ricerca (quello costiero sud europeo) in virtù del suo valore paradigmatico ma ampliando, invece, quello temporale. Il quadro teorico trascende, infatti, la mera analisi del panorama attuale di studi sulla turistificazione delle città e ricerca nell’analisi storica incrociata fra storia del turismo e storia dell’urbanistica una prospettiva più ampia sui rapporti fra turismo e città. I casi studio affrontati, Barcellona e Venezia, sono al contempo due icone storiche della turistificazione ma anche due laboratori urbani di soluzioni che aspirano alla sostenibilità turistica.
The thesis addresses the complex theme of tourism dysfunctions by limiting the geographical scope of research (the southern European coastal one) by virtue of its paradigmatic value but instead broadening the temporal one. The theoretical framework transcends, in fact, the mere analysis of the current panorama of studies on the touristification of cities and searches for a broader perspective on the relationships between tourism and cities in the cross-historical analysis between the history of tourism and the history of urban planning. The case studies addressed, Barcelona and Venice, are at the same time two historical icons of tourism but also two urban laboratories of solutions that aspire to tourist sustainability.
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/612434
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5747282024-01-27T00:32:10Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Fish welfare in aquaculture:
From physiology to molecular activities and new tools for study innovative diets, social and spatial stress
DARA, Mariano
CAMMARATA, Matteo
AIUPPA, Alessandro
Welfare, Physiology
Growth
Telemetry
Tag
Conventional or organic diet
Aquaculture
Social hierarchy
Territoriality
Sparus aurata
Dicentrarchus labrax
Stre
Cortisol
Behaviour
Gilthead sea bream
European sea ba
Hormone
Phagocytosis
Settore BIO/05 - Zoologia
Guaranteeing a high quality of life for animals has recently become a matter of increasing concern. Welfare assessment has been well-developed for terrestrial species, mainly for those kept in captivity, but the current state of the art is less well-characterized for aquatic animals. The classical methodologies utilised to date, such as the kind of behavioural observation widely used for terrestrial animals, are not appropriate for improving our knowledge of the well-being of aquatic animals if used alone, mainly due to the large number of species and the difficulty of obtaining comparative results among the different taxa of interest. Among different approaches, the evaluation of internal responses inside organisms can be carried out using different physiological and biochemical tools. This thesis presents methodologies and results of studies aimed at validating physiological and immunity parameters as markers of stress in the evaluation of fish welfare, with a particular focus on two important species in aquaculture, Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax. Fish were exposed to different conditions, and their welfare status was evaluated. An approach based on physiological markers was introduced to investigate the effects of the surgical implantation of electronic tags to provide telemetry for aquaculture study purposes. Indeed, the use of telemetry to study aquatic organisms has developed rapidly and its utilization needs to be better understood. Nutrition and food quality are further critical aspects for farmed animals. Indeed, aquaculture, both conventional and organic, has increased widely in recent years and has attracted the attention of various stakeholders. Physiological stress indicators, growth performance, and swimming activity data obtained by acoustic transmitters are good indicators for welfare assessment, and here they have been used to evaluate the effect of different aquaculture methodologies, in particular on fish fed with different diets. In addition, social stress and territoriality are relevant factors to evaluate for gregarious species that may have consequences on animals farmed in captivity conditions. These aspects may impair the ability of fish to respond to various stimuli, such as pathogens and environmental variations, with negative influences. In this thesis, we evaluate the effects of social stress on gilthead bream through behavioural observation supported by the evaluation of physiological and immunological-cellular parameters, such as cortisol, glucose, lactate, osmolarity, and phagocytosis.
2022-12-06
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/574728
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5959932024-02-21T05:36:43Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Net Zero Energy District: norme, strumenti finanziari e modelli decisionali per la transizione energetica urbana
BARBARO, Simona
NAPOLI, Grazia
NOBILE, Rosario
Transizione energetica urbana
Net Zero Energy District
Strumenti finanziari
Modelli decisionali
Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis
Settore ICAR/22 - Estimo
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/595993
ita
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5805102024-02-01T01:02:06Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Tumor-derived exosomes as factors that promote metastatic niche formation: evaluation of the effects induced by colon cancer derived exosomes on functional activities and structural features of Hepatocytes
MOSCHETTI, Marta
ALESSANDRO, Riccardo
RUSSO, Antonio
colorectal cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles
transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGFβ1)
hepatocyte
liver metastasis.
2023
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/580510
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5800742024-01-27T00:32:11Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Microchimerism and multiple sclerosis: a study on the impact of the sex of offspring on clinical, radiological, and paraclinical features of maternal disease. A new point of view for the sex differences in Neurological disease
BIANCHI, Alessia
LA BELLA, Vincenzo
BUCCHIERI, Fabio
multiple sclerosi
sex of offspring
pregnancy
microchimerism
sexual chromosome
magnetic resonance imaging
optic coherence tomography
Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterised by inflammation and neurodegeneration and representing one of the most common causes of neurologic disability among young adults. Over the last 40 years, several authors have confirmed the existence of fetal cells in maternal blood and their pregnancy-related origin, demonstrating that pregnancy may establish a long-term, low-grade chimeric state in women. The biological and clinical significance of fetal microchimeric cells (fMCs) in maternal health is largely unknown, although a role in autoimmune diseases have been hypothesised.
Aims. The overarching aim of my PhD dissertation was to investigate the role of the sex of offspring, considered an indirect marker of fMCs, in clinical, paraclinical, and radiological MS features.
Methods. During my PhD course, I conducted two retrospective studies and one prospective study on female MS patients. proceeding from literature data on the association between pregnancy and microchimerism, subjects were classified according to their pregnancy status and sex of offspring as follow: (a) subjects with history of at least a male pregnancy and supposedly carrying XY microchimeric cells (XYp), (b) subjects with history of only female pregnancy and supposedly carrying XX microchimeric cells, but not XY microchimeric cells (XXp), and (c) nulliparous subjects supposedly without microchimeric cells (NLp).
In the first project, I obtained information on pregnancy history for a population of 354 MS female patients, including 87 nulliparous subjects (NLp), 188 subjects with history of at least a male pregnancy (XYp), and 79 subjects with history of only female pregnancy (XXp). Medical records were used to collect clinical, radiological, and paraclinical data at onset, diagnosis, and last clinical follow-up for this large cohort of patients.
In the second study I selected a subgroup of 54 patients from the previous cohort, including 26 NLp, 8 XXp, and 20 XYp. I processed their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan using the Lesion Segmentation Tool toolbox and FreeSurfer software to obtain quantitative data on white matter, cortical, and subcortical areas. Additional clinical, radiological, and paraclinical data at onset, diagnosis, and last clinical follow-up were also collected using medical records and telephone interview.
Finally, in the third project, I enrolled 43 patients in a prospective study. The study is still on-going and the population recruited so far includes 18 NLp, 19 XYp, and 6 XXp. All patients were classified according to their obstetric history and underwent a blood test analysis to determine the microchimeric group amplifying Y chromosome-specific sequences. Each patients underwent a baseline visit to collect clinical data, an MRI scan, and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan.
Results. The first study showed that, at disease onset, NLp were younger than XYp and XXp and that the same group reported a longer disease duration when attending the first visit at MS Centre. In addition, data showed that NLp had less frequently a pyramidal onset when compared to XXp. Comparing XYp and XXp patients, I observed that XXp had higher ARR, a higher disability after 3 and 5 years of disease duration, and more severe ambulation scores at EDSS at 3 years of disease duration.
In the second project, I observed that NLp had lower brain volumes in several cortical areas, as well as in some subcortical and white matter volumes. More specifically, comparing NLp and XXp, I found that the former group had larger 4th ventricle and smaller right pallidum and left enthorinal volumes. NLp also reported lower thickness in left paracentral cortex, left precuneus cortex, and right lateral occipital cortex when compared with XXp. A similar trend was observed comparing NLp and XYp: NLp group had lower thickness in left paracentral cortex, left pericalcarine cortex, and right paracentral cortex. Interestingly, at the comparison between XYp and XXp, I observed that the thickness was higher in XYp in the left cuneus cortex, left pericalcarine cortex, and left insula, while XXp had a higher thickness in the right lateral occipital cortex.
In the last project, preliminary data showed that the risk of MS onset in post-partum was higher in XYp when compared to XXp. I also found that XXp patients had higher spine lesion load at diagnosis and registered higher ARR, while XYp had more frequently brainstem involvement at onset, presented more frequently with progressive MS phenotype at last clinical follow-up, and reached lower scores at PASAT. OCT revealed that, despite having a similar age and disease duration, XXp patients had lower RNFL and GCIPL thickness when compared with XYp, although the difference was not significant. I also found similar trends in XYp and XXp when these groups were compared to NLp. However, the RNFL and GCIPL was again higher in XYp when compared to NLp, while non-significant differences were detected between NLp and XXp. Overall, my results support the hypothesis that XY and XX fMCs could differently modulate the inflammatory and degenerative processes underlying MS.
Discussion. The results reported in this thesis demonstrated that the sex of offspring could influence disease features in MS. Being most of the changes occurring during pregnancy not different in male and female pregnancies, the results obtained from two retrospective studies and the preliminary findings of the prospective study suggested that (1) fMCs could be one of the pregnancy-related factors modulating the disease onset and course, and (2) the sex chromosome of fMCs could play a role on the biological processes underlying MS.
Conclusion. The hypothesis that a small percentage of cells with an XX or XY genotype could, through the expressions of sexual chromosome genes, regulate the maternal immune system and the repair mechanisms activated in the mother is fascinating and lends a fresh perspective to the sexual differences in neurological diseases. My findings suggested that XX and XY fMCs could, although marginally and likely interacting with other factors, be involved in MS inflammation and axonal degeneration, influence the immune system activation, and induce mechanism of repair. Discovering whether the presence of fetal non-self chimeric cells, and their chromosomes, may play a role in the modulation of the nervous system and its pathology is surely one of the more interesting challenges for the future.
2023-02-20
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/580074
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6297332024-03-28T01:38:13Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
REGULATING DIGITAL PLATFORMS: AN ANTITRUST ANALYSIS OF A MULTIFACETED PHENOMENON
GIORDANO, Giuseppe
GARILLI, Chiara
MANCUSO, SALVATORE
Antitrust
Competition law
Online platform
Settore IUS/04 - Diritto Commerciale
2024
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/629733
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6229362024-02-02T00:47:20Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
The use of CD44v6-CAR T cells in combination with PD-1/PD-L1 and PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitors as therapeutic strategies for advanced cancer
D'ACCARDO, Caterina
CAR-T cell therapy, immunotherapy, cancer stem cells, tumor microenvironment
BackgroundDespite the recent advances in cancer care standards, a notable number of patients fail to respond to first-line standard treatments or become refractory after an initial partial response. These phenomena are attributed to the presence of a subpopulation of cancer cells named cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are responsible for tumor initiation, chemoresistance, and spreading.CSCs isolated from several tissues, including colorectal (CRC) and breast (BC) cancer, express the stemness marker CD44v6, which is a crucial molecule required to boost cell metastatic potential. In the last few years, cancer adoptive immunotherapy based on the use of chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has been developed as a ground-breaking therapy to successfully tackle cancer by enforcing patients’ own immune responses. Aim of the studyThis research aimed at establishing an effective procedure for the generation of CD44v6-CAR T cells able to selectively eliminate CD44v6-positive CSCs derived from CRC and BC patients. Moreover, potential strategies to strengthen CD44v6-CAR T cells performance have been investigated.DesignThe initial phase of the study focused on the procedures for the isolation, enrichment, and expansion of T cells obtained from the peripheral blood of healthy donors. Subsequently, T cells were engineered with a second-generation CAR lentiviral vector containing i) an extracellular antigen-recognizing single-chain variable fragment (scFv) targeting CD44v6, ii) a hinge transmembrane domain, iii) an intracellular complex that includes CD3 signalling and CD28 co-stimulatory domains, and iv) a GFP coding sequence.We collected primary sphere cell cultures from colorectal cancer (CRC) and breast cancer (BC) specimens. To examine the potential of CD44v6-CAR T cell treatments against CR-CSCs and BCSCs cytotoxic assays have been performed.Moreover, to further optimize the employment of CD44v6-CAR T cells, we investigated tumor microenvironment (TME) influence on CAR T cells performance. RNA-seq analysis has been used to identify targetable biomarkers that could improve CD44v6-CAR T cells efficacy. ResultsHere, we showed an optimized procedure to isolate and expand T cells engineered with CD44v6-CAR with a high transduction efficiency (45±38,5%). In vitro co-culture experiments demonstrated that CD44v6-CAR T cells effectively eradicated CR-CSCs and BCSCs bearing a high expression of CD44v6. Moreover, our preliminary data demonstrated that tumor microenvironment (TME) could foster immune escape, influencing the effectiveness of immunotherapy. In particular, a whole transcriptomic analysis revealed a positive regulation of the immune suppressor PD-L1, on CSC, following the exposure to adipose stem cells (ASCs) resident TME components. Likewise, we have shown that TME sustains the ability of CD44v6-positive CSCs to proliferate and metastasize through the PI3K/AKT pathway. Contextually, it has been proved that the PI3K/AKT pathway limits CAR T cell expansion and persistence. Hence, combined inhibition of PD-L1 and PI3K/AKT pathway could be a feasible strategy to normalize the dysregulated TME and reinforce CD44v6-CAR T cells efficacy.ConclusionsThis data supports the use of CD44v6-CAR T cells as a potential treatment to prevent CSCs proliferation and seeding at distant organs. Moreover, these data provide a rationale for strengthening the cytotoxic effect and persistence of CD44v6-CAR T cells by designing combinatorial therapies including PD-L1 and PI3K/AKT inhibitors.
2024-02-21
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/622936
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6245962024-02-21T04:52:51Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Variable Selection in High Dimensions: the Adaptive Non-Convex Penalty Function
CUNTRERA, DANIELE
MUGGEO, Vito Michele Rosario
Variable selection
Penalty function
Penalized model
Non-Convex Penalty Function
Generalized Linear Model
Gaussian Graphical Model
Grouped Variables
Settore SECS-S/01 - Statistica
2024-03-01
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/624596
eng
numberofpages:122
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5942132024-02-07T01:06:10Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Risk profiling of hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence after eradication
of hepatitis C virus with direct-acting antiviral agents
CELSA, Ciro
DI MARCO, Vito
RUSSO, Antonio
hepatocellular carcinoma
cirrhosis
hepatitis C
MERTK
Settore MED/12 - Gastroenterologia
Settore MED/06 - Oncologia Medica
Background: Treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have significantly improved the outcomes of patients with HCV-related cirrhosis. However, the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still persists in these patients and predictive models are lacking. The aim of this study is to develop a predictive model including clinical and genetic features for individual risk profiling of HCC occurrence after DAA-induced sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients with HCV cirrhosis.
Methods Consecutive patients with HCV cirrhosis achieving SVR after DAA treatment without previous history of HCC were prospectively enrolled and followed-up for HCC occurrence. Clinical and biochemical features were evaluated at the time of DAA start and at the time of SVR. MERTK single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs6726639 was assessed in all patients. Cox regression model was used to identify risk factors for HCC occurrence. Accuracy was assessed by time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) and net benefit was measured by decision curve analysis.
Results Four-hundred-seven patients (mean age 67 years, 57% male) were included and followed-up for a mean time of 70 months. HCC occurred in 58 (14.2%) patients. At the time of DAA start, PLT count lower than 120x109/L (HR 2.12, 95%CI 1.15-3.93, p=0.017), albumin levels lower than 3.5 g/dL (HR 2.37, 95%CI 1.38-4.08, p=0.002) and MERTK AA genotype (HR 1.98, 95%CI 1.09-3.62, p=0.026) were independent risk factors for HCC occurrence, by multivariate analysis. At the time of SVR, PLT count lower than 130x109/L (HR 2.14, 95%CI 1.10-4.34, p=0.036), albumin levels lower than 3.8 g/dL (HR 2.21, 95%CI 1.07-4.58, p=0.032) and MERTK AA genotype (HR 2.18, 95%CI 1.01-4.70, p=0.046) were confirmed as independent risk factors for HCC occurrence, by multivariate analysis. Time-dependent AUROCs showed good accuracy and net benefit of this model was confirmed by DCA
Conclusions The risk of HCC after DAA-induced SVR persists, although low, also after a long-term follow-up. A risk profiling based on PLT, albumin and MERTK genotype is useful to predict the risk of HCC occurrence after SVR and it could identify a subgroup of patients in which the surveillance schedule for HCC can be personalized and extended.
2023-07-04
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/594213
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5792502024-01-23T00:44:02Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
DECISION-MAKING MODELS FOR PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICE SUPPORT SYSTEMS
AHMED, Umair
CERTA, Antonella
GAGLIO, Salvatore
Predictive maintenance, Decision-making models, complex systems, optimization, maintenance digitalization, maintenance management, Industry 4.0, Multi-criteria decision-making, Complex systems
Settore ING-IND/17 - Impianti Industriali Meccanici
Nell'era digitale, la tecnologia è in continua evoluzione, con enormi progressi nell'automazione che consentono una gestione della manutenzione più efficiente ed economica. Le tecnologie digitali stanno convergendo e avanzando insieme alle industrie, determinando progressi significativi nella gestione della manutenzione. La tradizionale strategia di manutenzione preventiva gestita dall'uomo lascia progressivamente spazio alla manutenzione predittiva, che rappresenta un’ottima opportunità per migliorare significativamente la pianificazione della manutenzione del sistema, in particolare per i sistemi più complessi e dal significativo valore monetario. Tuttavia, l’implementazione di tecniche di manutenzione predittiva si trova ad affrontare una serie di sfide sostanziali, essendo richiesti l’utilizzo di tecnologie di tracciamento moderne, lo sviluppo di solidi sistemi di raccolta dati e l'esecuzione di una varietà di procedure complesse.
Considerando il ruolo chiave della gestione della manutenzione nelle industrie, la motivazione principale di questo lavoro di ricerca consiste nell’indagare le pratiche esistenti e proporre nuove metodologie in grado di fornire implicazioni pratiche che possono essere utili nel contribuire a questo campo di studio in termini di previsione dei guasti, efficienza e ottimizzazione dei costi. Il presente lavoro di tesi è organizzato in tre capitoli, che rappresentano le principali aree di studio: 1) panoramica sulla gestione della manutenzione, 2) modelli decisionali a supporto della manutenzione predittiva, 3) trasformazione digitale nella gestione della manutenzione. Gli obiettivi di ricerca relativi ai menzionati capitoli sono: 1) studiare le attuali pratiche di manutenzione predittiva e le sue applicazioni nell'industria per identificare la sua capacità di prevedere e controllare i guasti delle apparecchiature di sistemi complessi; 2) studiare vari metodi di decisione multi-criterio (MCDM) e le loro applicazioni in modo da sviluppare una metodologia decisionale di manutenzione predittiva integrata per sistemi complessi nell'industria 4.0; 3) studiare la trasformazione digitale della gestione della manutenzione e i fattori critici della digitalizzazione, nonché l'incertezza nel processo decisionale per la gestione della manutenzione nell'industria 4.0.
Questi obiettivi di ricerca vengono perseguiti attraverso una metodologia mista, ovvero sia qualitativa e sia quantitativa, basata su un ampio studio della letteratura. È stata sviluppata una revisione della letteratura sulla manutenzione predittiva e le sue applicazioni industriali insieme ai suoi limiti per identificare le carenze negli approcci esistenti. Sono state inoltre studiate varie metodologie MCDM per analizzarne gli effetti nella gestione della manutenzione ed è stata sviluppata una pletora di casi reali per offrire spunti gestionali pratici.
In the digital era, technology is continually evolving, with enormous advancements in automation enabling more efficient and cost-effective maintenance management. Digital technologies are converging and advancing in tandem with industries, resulting in significant progress in maintenance management. The traditionally human-managed preventive maintenance strategy is outclassed with predictive maintenance, something that represents a wonderful opportunity to significantly improve system maintenance planning, particularly for more complex systems with a significant monetary value. However, predictive maintenance methods face numerous substantial challenges in terms of their application, as they necessitate the use of contemporary tracking technologies, the development of robust data-gathering systems, and the execution of a variety of intricate procedures.
Considering the significance of maintenance management in industries, the primary motivation for this research work is to investigate existing practices and propose new methodologies capable of providing practical implications that may be useful in contributing to this field of study in terms of predicting failures, efficiency, and cost optimization. The present work is organized through three chapters, representing the main areas of study: 1) overview on maintenance management, 2) decision-making models supporting predictive maintenance, and 3) digital transformation in maintenance management. The objectives of research linked to the defined chapters are; 1) to study current practices of predictive maintenance and its applications in industry to identify its capability to predict and control equipment failures of complex systems; 2) to investigate various Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods and their applications so as to develop an integrated predictive maintenance decision-making methodology for complex systems in industry 4.0; 3) to study the digital transformation of maintenance management and critical factors of digitalization, as well as uncertainty in the decision-making process for maintenance management in industry 4.0.
In achieving the objectives of this research, a mixed methodology, i.e., qualitative and quantitative research, is carried out on the basis of an extensive literature study. A literature review of predictive maintenance, its industrial applications along with its limitations is developed to identify the shortcomings in existing approaches. Various MCDM methodologies have been studied as well to investigate their effects on maintenance management and a plethora of real-world cases have been developed to offer practical managerial insights.
2023-03
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/579250
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5787602024-01-13T01:11:23Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Characterization of the 3D printing process for fine-grained soils
LA ROSA, Silvia
Ferrari, Alessio
PIRROTTA, Antonina
3D printing
fine-grained soil
3D printing of soils
Settore ICAR/07 - Geotecnica
The purpose of this study was to explore the 3D printing process of fine-grained soils with a geomechanichal approach. In particular, identifying the factors (including geomechanical characteristics of the soil, geometry of the problem, and 3D printer settings) that influence the behavior of 3D printed samples. To answer this question, three groups of materials differing in mineralogy, consistency limits and consistency, and three types of equipment have been used – an extruder and two 3D printers – to widely investigate the behaviour of the fine-grained soils when subjected to the process. First, the extrusion process has been studied finding that the parameter to take into account to predict the outcome are: the coefficient of consolidation of the soil, the extrusion length and the time of extrusion. Then, a double-porosity model was developed to predict the index properties of 3D printed specimens based on the geotechnical characteristics of the fine-grained soil and the specimens' geometry. This model was validated through its application to specimens with different values of the adimensional spacing between parallel filaments. The research then focuses on the structure of 3D printed clayey soil, examining the relationship between particle arrangements, pore size, orientation, and shape, and the 3D printing process. An experimental campaign was conducted to investigate the evolution of soil tensile state before, during, and after the 3D printing process using oedometric tests. Finally, the experimental campaign, conducted at the Geotechnical Laboratory of the University of Los Andes, sought to accurately reproduce 3D models generated using random field theory using a custom multimaterial 3D printer, finding the relationship between printing velocity, extrusion velocity and area of the nozzle that would guarantee an optimum 3D printing.
2023-01
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/578760
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5951932024-02-11T01:09:42Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
THERMOFLUID-DYNAMICS OF DEMO DIVERTOR CASSETTE
Quartararo, Andrea
DI MAIO, Pietro Alessandro
CELLURA, Maurizio
DEMO, Divertor, Plasma facing components, Thermofluid-dynamics, CFD analysis
Settore ING-IND/19 - Impianti Nucleari
The divertor is a critical in-vessel component of nuclear fusion reactors, being responsible for the fulfilment of certain fundamental functions for the machine: it must be able to handle the power deposited by charged particle and neutron irradiation, ensure the presence of channels through which the fusion ashes can be removed from the Vacuum Vessel (VV), provide plasma-compatible surfaces, and shield the VV and magnets from nuclear loads.
The heat load that can be tolerated by the divertor under normal and off-normal operating conditions is a pivotal parameter when dimensioning a fusion power plant since exceptionally high heat fluxes can be observed in some regions of the divertor, in the order of some tens of MW/m2. It is therefore clear that the proper functioning of this component in steady-state or long pulse conditions is inextricably linked to the correct design of its cooling circuit, which is required to prevent structural and functional materials to operate outside their operative limits, avoid unduly high pressure drops, and operate at the highest possible temperature to ensure the maximum achievable thermodynamic cycle efficiency while complying with all the applicable constraints.
In particular, for the case of the European DEMO power plant, during the Pre-Conceptual Design (PCD) phase which ended in 2020, attention was focused on the study of a “Double-Circuit” divertor concept, in which two independent cooling circuits served by two different Primary Heat Transfer Systems (PHTS) were used to cool the divertor Plasma-Facing Components (PFC) and the Cassette Body (CB).
The possibility to adopt a single cooling circuit to serve both PFCs and CB, suggested during the divertor final design Review Meeting of the PCD phase, led to the definition of a new divertor concept, namely the ”Single-Circuit Cooling Option”.
This novel divertor was originally conceived to allow for a simpler balance of plant design, as it would require a single PHTS, and to ease remote maintenance, as only one inlet and one outlet pipe should be cut and reweld for each divertor cassette during replacement operations.
The research activities carried out during the Ph.D. aimed to identify the strengths and possible shortcomings of this divertor design solution. To this purpose, attention was at first focussed on the development, validation and application of a dedicated numerical tool able to perform quick parametric analyses of the divertor cooling circuit, allowing for a first screening of coolant operating conditions and cooling circuit layouts that do not comply with most of the applicable thermal and thermal-hydraulic requirements and constraints. Therefore, with the final aim to perform a detailed thermofluid-dynamic assessment with the tools of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), a simulation technique based on an equivalent porous medium concept was developed. With this technique it is possible to reduce the computational costs required to simulate the coolant flow inside swirl tape-equipped cooling channels, being the most computationally demanding components of the entire divertor cooling circuit, without compromising the quality of the results. Finally, the complete 3D-CFD thermofluid-dynamic simulation of the entire single-circuit cooling option divertor cassette was performed, confirming the outcomes of parametric analyses and highlighting the occurrence of additional criticalities in terms of cooling performance and thermal hot spots. In this dissertation are reported the methodologies developed and their validation, together with the models, assumptions, and outcomes of this research campaign.
2023-07-04
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/595193
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6228532024-01-31T00:51:49Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
The role of driver mutations in the initiation and progression of thyroid cancer
VERONA, Francesco
Thyroid carcinoma histotype
thyroid progenitor cell
human embryonic stem cell
gene editing
genetic mutation model
prognostic biomarker
target therapies
2024-02-21
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/622853
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6234742024-02-11T00:52:03Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Two-dimensional and three-dimensional multifunctional polymeric systems
GAMMINO, Michele
SCAFFARO, Roberto
MICALE, Giorgio Domenico Maria
3D electrospinning
dry jet-wet-electrospinning
beads fibers hierarchical structure
graphene coating
water remediation
Multifunctional polymer system
Green Filler
waste biomass
Reactive Exstrusion (REx)
Green Reactive Exstrusion (REx)
Multifunctional Porous Structures
Settore ING-IND/22 - Scienza E Tecnologia Dei Materiali
La ricerca della multifunzionalità e il miglioramento dell'efficienza a livello di sistema sono emersi come temi centrali nella scienza e nell'ingegneria contemporanea, catalizzando un cambiamento di paradigma nella progettazione e nelle prestazioni di prodotti e componenti. La crescente importanza della multifunzionalità nel panorama scientifico e ingegneristico sottolinea la necessità di una profonda comprensione e un'esplorazione rigorosa di questi materiali, strutture e processi strumentali nella loro realizzazione. Questa tesi di dottorato mira a condurre un esame approfondito dei benefici derivanti dall'adozione di processi di produzione innovativi, come l'elettrofilatura a umido e il processo di fusione reattiva, per stabilire correlazioni tra struttura, processo e proprietà. Ciò comporta il confronto tra vari processi e materiali per ottenere strutture multifunzionali in vari settori dell'ingegneria. L'obiettivo principale di questo studio è lo sviluppo di strutture multifunzionali gerarchiche 2D e 3D utilizzando diverse matrici polimeriche, esplorando la loro sinergia potenziale con vari riempitivi carboniosi e naturali utilizzati come catalizzatori per ottenere la multifunzionalità. Le molteplici caratteristiche di questi materiali multifunzionali includono funzionalità meccaniche, termiche, morfologiche e chimiche, che vengono esaminate come vie promettenti per l'innovazione e lo sviluppo sostenibile. Lo studio si addentra anche nell'impatto dei parametri di controllo del processo, ponendo attenzione al miglioramento dei tempi di produzione e all'ottimizzazione dei protocolli e delle condizioni dei processi utilizzati. È stato evidenziato il ruolo cruciale di queste strutture gerarchiche multifunzionali, con applicazioni nella purificazione dell'acqua da vari inquinanti e nello sviluppo potenziale di sensori per il loro monitoraggio. Inoltre, è stata indagata la potenzialità dei materiali compositi polimerici multifunzionali attraverso riempitivi alternativi, come i rifiuti naturali e la lignina. L'obiettivo è confrontare particelle carboniose e naturali nei campi di applicazione scelti. Da questa prospettiva, la valorizzazione dei rifiuti naturali per la produzione di materiali eco-compatibili con proprietà multifunzionali potrebbe consentire la produzione di strutture complesse e sostenibili in piena conformità con i principi dell'economia circolare. Attraverso una revisione completa dello stato dell'arte e una delineazione delle future direzioni di ricerca, l'obiettivo è contribuire ad aprire nuovi percorsi di ricerca e innovazione nei campi scientifico e ingegneristico, immaginando un futuro in cui materiali e strutture multifunzionali ci guideranno verso una maggiore sostenibilità ed efficienza in vari settori.
Pursuing multifunctionality and enhancing system-level efficiency have emerged as central themes in contemporary science and engineering, catalysing a paradigm shift in the design and performance of products and components. The growing significance of multifunctionality in the scientific and engineering landscape underscores the need for a deep understanding and rigorous exploration of these materials, structures, and instrumental processes in their realization. This doctoral thesis aims to conduct an in-depth examination of the benefits arising from the adoption of innovative production processes, such as wet-electrospinning and reactive melt processing, to establish correlations between structure, process, and properties. This involves comparing various processes and materials to achieve multifunctional structures in various engineering sectors. This study's primary focus is the development of hierarchical 2D and 3D multifunctional structures using different polymeric matrices, exploring their potential synergy with various carbonaceous and natural fillers used as catalysts to achieve multifunctionality. The multiple features of these multifunctional materials include mechanical, thermal, morphological, and chemical functionalities, which are examined as promising avenues for innovation and sustainable development. The study also delves into the impact of process control parameters, paying attention to improving production times and optimizing the protocols and conditions of the processes used. The crucial role of these multifunctional hierarchical structures has been highlighted, with applications in water purification from various pollutants and the potential development of sensors for monitoring them. Additionally, the potential of multifunctional polymeric composite materials has been investigated through alternative fillers, such as natural waste and lignin. The aim is to compare carbonaceous and natural particles in the chosen application fields. From this perspective, the natural waste’s valorisation for producing eco-friendly materials with multifunctional properties could allow the production of complex and sustainable structures in full compliance with the circular economy principles. Through a comprehensive review of the state of the art and an outline of future research directions, the aim is to contribute to opening new paths of research and innovation in the scientific and engineering fields, envisioning a future where multifunctional materials and structures will drive us towards greater sustainability and efficiency across various sectors.
2024-03-01
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/623474
eng
numberofpages:335
info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6219542024-01-31T00:51:51Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
New stability results on parallel shear flows.
PERRONE, Carla
Giacobbe, Andrea
LOMBARDO, Maria Carmela
LOMBARDO, Maria Carmela
Stability
linear analysi
non linear analysi
Couette flow
Poiseuille flow
Reynolds number
Navier Stokes
Settore MAT/07 - Fisica Matematica
Lo studio della stabilità e dell'instabilità dei flussi laminari, che ha attirato l’attenzione di molti autori per più di 150 anni, è ancora oggi studiato sia per la sua importanza nel campo delle applicazioni e sia perché il passaggio dai flaussi laminari all'instabilità, alla turbolenza e al caos non è del tutto chiaro e ci sono discrepanze tra analisi lineare e non lineare ed esperimenti. In questa tesi viene indagato tale problema evidenziando le problematiche emerse e come abbiamo cercato di risolverli.
The study of the stability and instability of laminar flows, which has attracted theattention of many authors for more than 150 years, is still studied today both becauseof its importance in the field of applications and because the transition from laminarfluids to instability, turbulence and chaos is not yet completely clear and there arediscrepancies between linear and nonlinear analysis and experiments.In this thesis this problem is investigated by highlighting the problems that aroseand how we tried to solve them.tr
2024
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/621954
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
alleditors:Giacobbe, Andrea
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/6126132024-02-21T05:36:44Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Positive Energy Districts: conceptualization and
development of a redesign framework oriented towards
energy flexibility and sustainability in the
Mediterranean area
Marotta, Ilaria
CELLURA, Maurizio
CELLURA, Maurizio
Positive Energy District
Energy flexibility
Sustainability
Multi Criteria Analysi
Life Cycle Assessment
Building renovation
Key Performance Indicator
2023-07-04
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/612613
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai:iris.unipa.it:10447/5951972024-02-11T01:09:42Zcom_10447_360650com_10447_52757col_10447_71205
Geogenic carbon dioxide degassing from active tectonic areas of the Balkan Peninsula
LI VIGNI, Lorenza
PARELLO, Francesco
AIUPPA, Alessandro
hydrogeochemistry
water quality
karst system
carbon dioxide degassing
global carbon cycle
Settore GEO/08 - Geochimica E Vulcanologia
Sin dagli anni ’70, la ricerca scientifica ha evidenziato una forte relazione tra il degassamento di carbonio profondo e le aree tettonicamente attive, sottolineando l’elevata importanza del contributo di queste emissioni nella quantificazione del carbonio globale.
La Penisola Balcanica presenta grandi aree caratterizzate da degassamento di carbonio di origine mantellica, da attività vulcaniche Quaternarie, da un’elevata sismicità e da strutture tettoniche a scala regionale. Purtroppo, la stima del degassamento di anidride carbonica profonda in quest’area è ancora poco studiata. La ricerca di questa tesi di dottorato si è focalizzata sulla (i) stima dell’output di carbonio profondo dalle grandi sorgenti carsiche della Grecia, e sulla (ii) caratterizzazione della composizione chimica e isotopica delle principali manifestazioni gassose della Macedonia del Nord. Inoltre, è stato condotto anche uno studio sull’impatto dei processi geogenici ed antropogenici sulla qualità delle acque dei grandi sistemi carsici della Grecia.
Negli acquiferi carsici delle Grecia sono state riconosciute tre principali composizioni chimiche dell’acqua: (i) bicarbonato-calcica per le sorgenti continentali; (ii) cloruro-sodica per le sorgenti in area di costa, (iii) solfato-calcica dovuta a processi di dissoluzione di gesso all’interno dell’acquifero. I risultati, in termini di specie maggiori ed elementi in traccia, sono stati comparati con i limiti sulle acque potabili imposte dalle Direttive della Comunità Europea, CE/98/83 e CE/2020/2184, i quali raramente vengono superati tranne per quei parametri che risentono della influenza dell’intrusione marina (Conduttività Elettrica, Na, Cl, B). In queste sorgenti, sono stati rivelati elevati valori di nitrato, sebbene sempre al di sotto del limite di potabilità.
Per quanto riguarda la composizione chimica dei gas disciolti e liberi, l’azoto risulta essere il gas dominante, con concentrazioni fino a 985,300 μmol mol-1. Il δ13CTDIC varia tra -16.6 ‰ e -0.10 ‰ (vs. V-PDB), mentre il δ13CCO2, misurato nel gas libero, varia da -29.9 ‰ a -7.41 ‰ (vs. V-PDB). La composizione isotopica dell’elio è stata misurata solo in pochi campioni (R/RA = 0.20 - 0.33), con valori che indicano una sorgente principalmente crostale. Applicando il bilancio di massa del carbonio, è stata fatta una stima del carbonio endogenico (1.43 × 109 mol a-1), la quale sorgente potrebbe essere associata a diverse sorgenti, tra cui termo-metamorfismo di carbonati indotto dall’intrusione di corpi magmatici di età Quaternaria e/o strutture tettoniche regionali.
La ricerca condotta in Macedonia del Nord rappresenta un primo catalogo delle principali manifestazioni gassose presenti nell’area, sebbene ancora incompleto. Le manifestazioni gassose campionate, comprendenti sia sistemi caldi sia sistemi freddi, sono stati suddivisi in tre gruppi: (i) dominati in N2; (ii) dominati in CO2; (iii) ricchi in H2S. Queste categorie sono ben separate geograficamente, associate, soprattutto, al regime tettonico estensionale e, spesso, associati alle aree di confine tra le principali unità geotettoniche. Il δ13CCO2 varia tra -15.7 ‰ e +1.0 ‰, mentre i valori di R/RA variano da 0.1 a 1.8, suggerendo un’origine perlopiù crostale con un contributo mantellico fino al 20%. La composizione isotopica del metano presenta valori di δ13CCH4 tra -57.8 ‰ e -7.2 ‰ e valori di δ2HCH4 tra -303 ‰ e -80 ‰.
Inoltre, misure di flusso di CO2 al suolo sono state condotte a Duvalo Kosel, Petkoniva e Botun. Per quanto riguardo Duvalo Kosel, un’area studiata in dettaglio, si è stimato una emissione di CO2 di 66.9 t × d-1. A Petkoniva and Botun sono state condotte delle misure preliminari, limitate ad aree caratterizzate da forte alterazione del suolo e mancanza di vegetazione, rivelando un flusso di CO2 di 0.20 t × d-1 a Petkoniva e di 0.59 t × d-1 a Botun.
Since the 1970s, scientific research evidenced the close relationship between deeply-derived carbon degassing and active tectonic zones, highlighting the utmost importance of tectonic degassing contribution within the global carbon cycle.
Large-scale degassing of mantle-derived carbon, Quaternary volcanic activity, seismic activity, and regional active fault systems are widespread in the Balkan Peninsula. However, the estimation of geogenic CO2 release from this area is currently still poorly quantified. This PhD research is focused on (i) the estimation of endogenous carbon release from the main karst hydro-systems of Greece and on (ii) the chemical and isotopic characterization of the main gas manifestation in North Macedonia. Moreover, a study about the geogenic and anthropogenic processes affecting the water quality of Hellenic karst aquifers was carried out.
Three main water types were recognized in the Hellenic karst aquifers: (i) calcium-bicarbonate for hinterland springs; (ii) sodium-chloride for coastal springs; (iii) calcium-sulfate derived from gypsum dissolution. Results in terms of major ions and trace elements were compared with the drinking water limits set by the Directive 98/83/EC and the Directive 2020/2184/EC, which are rarely exceeded except for parameters related to marine intrusion along the coastal areas (EC, Na, Cl, B). In these springs, the highest nitrate levels are also found, though always below the drinking water limit. Regarding the chemical composition of the dissolved and free gases collected in the above-mentioned springs, the nitrogen is the dominant gas (up to 985,300 μmol mol-1). The δ13CTDIC varies between -16.6 ‰ and -0.10 ‰ (vs. V-PDB), whereas the δ13CCO2 in free gases ranged from -29.9 ‰ to -7.41 ‰ (vs. V-PDB). The isotopic composition of helium was measured in few samples (R/RA = 0.20 - 0.33), with values indicating a mainly crustal source. An estimation of the endogenous carbon (1.43 × 109 mol a-1) released from these systems was carried out, applying the isotope-carbon mass balance. The geogenic source of carbon may be associated to multiple sources, such as thermo-metamorphism of buried carbonates associated to intrusions of Quaternary magmatic bodies and/or regional tectonic structures.
The research about the gas manifestations in North Macedonia represented a first catalogue, although still incomplete. The collected gas manifestations, comprising both thermal and cold systems, were subdivided in three groups: (i) N2-dominated group; (ii) CO2-dominated group; (iii) H2S-rich group. These categories are geographically well separated, mainly, related to the extensional tectonic regime of the area and, sometimes, associated with boundaries between the major geotectonic units. The δ13CCO2 varies between -15.7 ‰ and +1.0 ‰, whereas the R/RA values vary from 0.1 to 1.8, suggesting a prevailing crustal source with a mantle contribution up to 20%. On the other hand, the isotope composition of methane showed δ13CCH4 values ranging between -57.8 ‰ and -7.2 ‰ and δ2HCH4 varying from -303 ‰ to -80 ‰. Furthermore, soil CO2 flux measurements were carried out at Duvalo Kosel, Petkoniva and Botun. Regarding the former, a detailed investigation was carried out, estimanting a total CO2 output of 66.9 t × d-1. A preliminary investigation was done at Petkoniva and Botun, limited only to patches with heavy soil alteration and devoid of vegetation, revealing a CO2 output of 0.20 t × d-1 at Petkoniva and of 0.59 t × d-1 at Botun.
2023-07-03
info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
https://hdl.handle.net/10447/595197
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Università degli Studi di Palermo
place:Palermo
oai_dc///col_10447_71205/100